He offered his arm to his cousin and led her down the many broad steps leading to the east front of the capitol, where the carriage waited. He handed her carefully in to her cushioned seat, and bowed and attempted some excuse for leaving her.
But Anna, seized with some inexplicable whim, perhaps inspired by the Spirit of Evil for his torment, would not let him off; but insisted upon his entering and taking a seat beside her.
With a suppressed groan, Alexander obeyed.
The old soldier followed them into the carriage.
When he was comfortably seated and the horses had started, he rubbed his hands and said:
“This is fortunate. I needed some one whom I could trust, to take Anna out in the evening. Who so proper an escort as her betrothed husband? Now this evening there is to be a grand reception at the Executive Mansion. I do not feel well enough to go out at night, so I must impress you into the service, my boy.”
“I should be most happy, sir,” said the young man, actually trembling under his accumulating embarrassment. “I should indeed be delighted, but——”
“But what?—Oh, nonsense, you cannot make any excuse about your toilet in this case; there is plenty of time to get your luggage from the station, and get yourself up for the evening in the most unexceptionable style.”
“Yes, sir, but——”
“But what, again? You cannot possibly have any other engagement. You have been in the city too short a time. Alexander, what has come to you? You are not like yourself at all. I really think your betrothed has a reason to feel piqued,” said the old man, gravely.