Blair hesitated.
"He cannot make it until he first knows that you will accept his offer."
"His offer?"
Blair waited until the thought had been fully grasped and then uttered each word with solemn emphasis.
"His offer, sir, of the supreme command of the armies of the Union—"
A cry of joy and pride came resistlessly from the sister's lips.
"Oh, Robert—Robert!"
Lee was surprised and deeply moved. He rose from his seat, walked to the window, looked out, flushed and slowly said:
"You—you—cannot mean this—?"
Blair hastened to assure him.