She went on, however, regardless of his astonishment.
"And I want you to purchase furniture enough to fit up one room for yourself; and I want you to do that the first thing to-morrow. And I want you to lodge here alone, while you remain in Richmond."
He still stared at her in amazement, but with no sign of a wish to disobey her strange commands.
She went on with her instructions.
"You can walk into the city, and take your meals at any restaurant you please; but you must lodge here alone while you stay in the city."
"I will do so," he answered, earnestly, as he recovered the use of his tongue—"I will do anything you tell me. I am entirely under your orders."
"You are the best fellow in the whole world, and I love the very ground you walk on!" exclaimed the traitress, warmly.
He grasped her hand convulsively and pressed it to his lips, and then waited her further directions.
"To reward you I will come out here every morning and spend the whole day with you."
"Oh, that will be heavenly! I should be willing to live in a cave on such delightful conditions!"