"And you could respect a man who would do a thing like that?"
"For my sake?—Yes."
"No, you think you could. But you couldn't. No woman can really love a poltroon or a coward."
"I'm not asking you to do a cowardly thing——"
"To desert my leader in a crisis?"
"To wash your hands of treachery and selfish ambitions."
"But it's not true," he retorted. "You mustn't say that. McClellan's a leader of genius—brave, true, manly, patriotic."
"I've a nobler ideal of patriotism——"
"Your blundering backwoodsman in the White House?"
"Yes. He has but one thought—that the Union shall be saved. He has no other ambition. If McClellan succeeds, he rejoices. If he fails, he is heartbroken. I know that he has defended him against the assaults of his enemies. He has refused to listen to men who assailed his loyalty and patriotism. This generous faith your Chief is betraying to-day. That you defend him is horrible—O John, dear, I can't—I won't let you stay! You must break your connection with this conspiracy of vain ambition. The country is calling now for every true, unselfish man—please!"