Mrs. Force went and sat on the other side of her stricken daughter, took her hand, and said:
“My dear, nothing but prayer can help you now. You must pray, Odalite.”
The girl pressed her mother’s hand, but made no reply.
Mr. Force and Lord Enderby were in close conversation on the political conflict out of which the war had arisen.
Elva and Rosemary were standing together in the oriel window overlooking the street, too much startled by the suddenness of events to feel like talking.
“Let us hope that this trouble will soon be over,” said the earl.
“What! be put down like one of your corn riots, by the simple reading of the ‘act’?” inquired Abel Force, grimly. “No, Enderby! I know my countrymen, North and South. And the civilized world will see a war that has never been paralleled in the history of nations.”
And his words proved prophetic.
After this day every mail from America was looked for in the keenest anxiety; and every mail brought the most startling and exciting news. Every schoolboy and schoolgirl is now familiar with the leading events of the war, and they need not be rehearsed here.
Among news of more general interest came some of a private nature to the Forces.