This only produced additional clamors on the part of the ladies to see Captain Ross before parting with their scanty supply of gold. But while they were eagerly discussing and denouncing Captain Ross’s turpitude to the Confederate cause, Madame Isabey, suddenly catching sight of some organdies which were, indeed, a fair and tempting vision, pulled out a long silk purse.
“Meestaire what’s-your-name?” she said calmly to Didlake, “I am what you call a patriotic lady, but these organdies are so very nice and the war may last a long time. I will pay gold for all I take.”
“Thank you, marm,” replied the unabashed Didlake, and Madame Isabey, promptly selecting piece after piece of what she wanted, and determined to make sure of her purchases, opened a door near at hand into a small bedroom and proceeded to throw on the bed bundles, hard and soft, but mostly hard. At the tenth throw Captain Ross’s shaggy head uprose from the bed and he shouted:
“Good God! madam, you’ve nearly knocked my brains out.”
The rest of the ladies fled precipitately, deeply shocked by this untoward accident, but Madame Isabey stoutly held her ground.
“Oh!” she cried; “it makes no difference. I will throw the bundles on the floor, meestaire.” This she proceeded to do while Captain Ross covered his head up and soon began to snooze again.
Having taken her choice of everything and paid for it in gold, like a man, as Didlake said, Madame Isabey was in possession of enough contraband goods to set up a small-sized shop.
Mrs. Tremaine had been a modest purchaser and so had most of the other ladies, but Madame Isabey had got the choice of everything. When the parcels were loaded into the old coach, there was scarcely room for Mrs. Tremaine and Madame Isabey with her enormous hoop skirt.
As the two ladies were exchanging confidences out of the coach window with the group around them concerning prices and qualities, a diversion was created by Mrs. Charteris driving up in a big barouche, while by her side sat Mr. Brand. Ever sanguine, Mr. Brand had not yet learned that every civility offered him by Mrs. Charteris was invariably used by that lady for his discomfiture. So far, he was the only gentleman who had appeared upon the scene of action, but as soon as he was on the ground and had assisted Mrs. Charteris to alight, the ladies flocked around him. Over their pretty piping voices was heard Didlake’s suave basso.
“Look here, Mr. Brand,” he called out, with an affectation of innocence, “we brought some real contraband goods this time that the ladies ain’t seen yet and don’t want to see. It’s guns and pistols. I can sell you as good a Colt’s revolver, army regulation pattern, as you ever see in your life, Mr. Brand. We all knows your duty lies here, but we are looking to see you and George Charteris and Colonel Tremaine and that red-headed boy, Archie, all run away to jine the army.”