“My plans are not yet matured,” replied Kenrick. “I shall stand by the old flag, you may be sure of that. And I shall liberate all the slaves I can, beginning with my father’s.”
“You would not fight against your own State?”
“Incontinently I would if my own State should persist in rebellion against the Union; and so I would fight against my own county should that rebel against the State.”
“Well, schoolfellow,” said Onslow, with a fascinating frankness, “let us reserve our quarrels for the time when we shall cross swords in earnest. That time may come sooner than we dream of. The less can we afford to say bitter things to each other now. Come, and let me introduce you to a charming young lady. How long do you stay here?”
“Perhaps a week; perhaps a month.”
“I shall watch over you while you remain, for I do not fancy seeing my old crony hung.”
“Better so than be false to the light within me. Though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.”
Onslow made no reply, but affectionately, almost compassionately, took Kenrick by the arm and led him away.
Vance put down his newspaper, and then, immersed in meditation, slowly passed out of the dining-hall and up-stairs into his own room.