"You can't mean this?"
Again the soft, warm hand that had slipped its glove grasped his. He could feel her slim, little fingers tremble. She had turned very pale:
"I'm in dead earnest. I love you, dear, with my whole heart, and it's my love that asks this. I can't think of you betraying a solemn trust. The very thought of it cuts me to the quick. If this is true, General McClellan should be court-martialed."
The man's square jaws closed with a snap:
"Let them try it if they dare——"
"The President will dare if he believes it his duty."
"Then he'll hear something from the hundred and fifty thousand soldiers who have served under McClellan."
The little hand pressed harder.
"Won't you, for my sake, dear,—just because I'm your sweetheart and you love me?"
The stalwart figure suddenly stiffened: