A Petition to the General.
It seemed to Fred Forrester a strange stroke of fate, when, after three days’ slow and steady advance, feeling their way cautiously, as if at any hour they might meet the enemy, he rode with the advance to take possession of the Hall, for in spite of the colonel offering his own home again, the general kept to his decision that the Hall was the more suitable place for head-quarters.
The day was bright as one of those when, full of boyish spirits, he used to run over to spend the day with Scarlett Markham; and where was he now? A fugitive, perhaps; who could say where? And Sir Godfrey, where was he?
Fred felt very sad as he rode on, with the horses’ hoofs trampling deeply into the soft green turf. But how beautiful it all seemed, with the rich red-brown stone of the old house contrasting so well with the green of the stately trees. The lake glistened like a sheet of silver in the sunshine, and all seemed familiar and welcome, and yet somehow as though connected with his life long, long ago, and as if it was impossible it could have been so short a time since he was a boy, and played about there.
“I hope the men will be careful,” he found himself thinking; “and that every one will be respectful to Lady Markham.”
He had not much time for thought after that, for the men were halted on the level grass land in front of the terrace garden, and he found himself one of the officers who, after an advance guard had ridden up to the front, and others had been despatched to form piquets surrounding the place, rode up in the train of the general.
To Fred’s surprise, Lady Markham and her daughter came to the broad step in front of the entrance, and the general touched his horse’s sides with the spurs, and rode up.
Fred was so near that he heard every word, and he bent forward, looking in vain for some token of recognition from the pale, careworn lady and her shrinking daughter, who received the general.
The latter saluted Lady Markham gravely.
“I regret to trouble you, madam,” he said; “but we are compelled to take possession of your house for the present.”