"Whose cause?"
There was a disdainful curve of the beauty's lips as Vernon asked the question.
"Sir! there surely is no need of such assumed ignorance. I am a prisoner——"
"A prisoner—yes, but your captors mean you well."
Vernon misunderstood her meaning.
She smiled.
"Wish me well—ay, perhaps so. The bird taken from the wild freedom of the forest is cared for in its gilded cage, but it prefers freedom, even with all its dangers."
"You are free, Miss Decatur—free as any one under our flag can be."
"Under your flag, sir—yes! But your flag is one which covers traitors and oppressors. Its every fold is dyed in the blood of true patriots who have fought against it."
"You do not know——" interrupted Vernon.