"Your troops are encamped but a short distance from here, I believe?"
"It is true."
"Are we to consider ourselves as prisoners of war?"
"By no means, Mrs. Ruthven. I am informed that your house is something of a hospital. Let it remain so."
"Thank you."
"You certainly did not expect ill treatment, did you?" went on the colonel curiously.
"You seem to be a gentleman, I must admit, but I have heard such stories of violence and rapine that I have some reasons to be apprehensive."
"The stories are in most cases baseless and without truth. I hope you are not prejudiced enough to think that Federal officers are destitute of honor and humanity. Every true soldier, no matter under what banner he draws his sword, respects a lady, and would be the last to injure or annoy her."
"I can believe that of you, sir, but you are an exception."
"I cannot accept the compliment. I know many of my brother officers, and I am glad to say that what is true of me is true also of them."