The General laughed and then sighed.
“I am afraid that there are not many who will agree with you,” he said. “But there, child! I must attend to business. I will write to your father myself and just as soon as I hear from him you shall know it.”
“Will you?” cried Jeanne. “And oh, do tell him to send for me soon.”
“Yes, you poor child! Or if I see an opportunity to send you safely home you shall go. I think that I can send you by one of the steamers. If I had known of this you should have returned with Mrs. Butler.”
“I wish I could have done so,” said the girl wistfully.
“Well, you shall go soon, I promise you. Keep a brave heart, and remember that it will not be long before you shall go. Good-bye.”
He shook hands with her warmly, and then stopped her as she was leaving the room.
“Your flag, my little girl. We had forgotten your flag.”
“I am not worthy,” whispered the girl looking longingly at it.
“My dear, so long as your heart is as loyal as it is there is no one more worthy. Take it and keep it unsullied as you have done.”