She clasped the girl to her breast, unable to speak. At last she released her and said with a sob:
“My child, through good report and through evil report my love will enfold you!”
Elsie stammered, looked away, and tried to hide her emotion. Margaret had knelt and bowed her head on Ben’s cot. She rose at length, threw her arms around Elsie in a resistless impulse, kissed her and whispered:
“My sweet sister!”
Elsie’s heart leaped at the words, as her eyes rested on the face of the sleeping soldier.
CHAPTER VI
The Assassination
Elsie called in the afternoon at the Camerons’ lodgings, radiant with pride, accompanied by her brother.