“Yes; quite safe and well, and Scarlett—”
“Yes; pray go on. I dared not ask, for fear of hearing bad news.”
“I heard that he was quite well, too, and acting as his father’s aide-de-camp.”
“Thank Heaven!” sighed Lady Markham, piously. “It is so long since we had heard from them. Now I can feel more at rest.”
She seemed to gain strength from the news; and after a pause she went on—
“Tell your leader,” she said, “that I am grateful, for my child’s sake. He has been most courteous. I did not expect this consideration.”
“Oh, Lady Markham, I am sure that you have nothing to fear. The discipline is so strict among our men. They will only take food and shelter for a night or two. Any act of disorder would be punished.”
Lady Markham drew a breath of relief.
“You are our enemy, Fred,” she said softly, “and when we meet again, I shall not forget to tell my husband of the treatment we have received. There, Lilian and I will go to our room. You know the place by heart. See that everything is done for your officers’ comfort. Let them learn that Sir Godfrey Markham can show hospitality, even to his foes.”
She bowed stiffly, and, taking her daughter’s hand, was withdrawing into the house, when Lil snatched her hand away, and stepped quickly to Fred’s side.