“Yes, I see. That is to say, you don’t admit it. And you don’t deny it.”
The reply came more slowly:—
“I do not.”
“Well, now, Mrs. H——, I’ve given you a pretty long audience. I’ll tell you what I’ll do. But do you please tell me, first, you affirm on your word of honor that your name is really Mrs. H——; that you are no spy, and have had no voluntary communication with any, and that you are a true and sincere Union woman.”
“I affirm it all.”
“Well, then, come in to-morrow at this hour, and if I am going to give you a pass at all I’ll give it to you then. Here, here’s your letter.”
As she received the missive she lifted her eyes, suffused, but full of hope, to his, and said:—
“God grant you the heart to do it, sir, and bless you.”
The man laughed. Her eyes fell, she blushed, and, saying not a word, turned toward the door and had reached the threshold when the officer called, with a certain ringing energy:—
“Mrs. Richling!”