“Everything is fair in love and war,” said the other mockingly. “It is not wrong to falsify to Yankees.”
“I will never forgive you. Never!” cried the girl passionately. “I told General Butler just how you deceived me, and I never can trust you again. To think that such a woman is the wife of my uncle!”
“Be careful of your words, my little Yankee,” and the black eyes of the lady glittered balefully. “I have treated you well heretofore, but I may repent of my soft usage. If gentle means will not convince you of the error of your ways we will try other means.”
“What do you mean? You dare not use me otherwise than well. I would not submit to anything else, and Uncle Ben would not allow you to ill treat me.”
“Your uncle will permit anything that I choose to do,” retorted Madame angrily, and the girl knew that she spoke truly. Mr. Vance yielded to his wife in everything. “And listen, girl! I dare anything that I choose to do. I am sick of your puritanical ways, and I have resolved to change them. Why did you return if you were not of our way of thinking? Why did you not stay with ‘Beast’ Butler since you agree so well? Speak, girl! why did you come back?”
“I–I–because––” Jeanne was unable to proceed. The question was so unexpected that she was not prepared to answer it.
“Aha!” and Madame regarded her keenly. “I see. You came back to spy upon us. Deny it if you can.”
Then as the girl made no reply she called:
“Feliciane, Feliciane!” The woman entered the room. “Take this girl to the strong room,” she commanded.
“Don’t dare to touch me,” cried Jeanne springing away from the woman. “I will tell General Butler of this.”