“General! they have not dared!”
“Madame, those Southerons are daring above everything. I have met them. Their men are fighters, and they will be well officered.”
Well officered! She thought of Kenneth McVeigh, he would be one of them; yes, she supposed that was one thing he could do––fight; a thing requiring brute strength, brute courage!
“So!” said the Countess Biron, who seldom was acquainted with the causes of any wars outside those of court circles, “this means that if the Northern States should retaliate and conquer, all the slaves would be free?”
“Not at all, Countess. The North does not interfere with slavery where it exists, only protests against its extension to greater territory.”
“Oh! Well; I understood it had something to do with the Africans. That clever young Delaven devoted an entire hour to my enlightenment yesterday. And my poor friend, Madame McVeigh, you remember her, Judithe? She is in the Carolinas. I tremble to think of her position now; an army of slaves surrounding them, and, of course, only awaiting the opportunity for insurrection.”
“And Louisiana seceded two months ago,” said the Marquise, and then smiled. “You will think me a mercenary creature,” she declared, “but I have property in New Orleans 108 which I have never seen, and I am wondering whether its value will rise or fall because of the proposed change of government.”
“You have never seen it?”
“No; it was a purchase made by my husband from some home-sick relative, who had thought to remain there, but could not live away from France. I have promised myself to visit it some day. It would be exceedingly difficult to do so now, I suppose, but how much more spirited a journey it would be; for each side will have vessels on guard all along the coast, will they not?”
“There will at least be enough to deter most ladies from taking adventurous pilgrimages in that direction. I shall not advise you to go unless under military escort, Marquise.”