“They are rebels.”
“They are Confederate officers, sir, or they would not be here.”
“There will be one here who is not a Confederate officer. My friend, Captain Somers, must be accommodated; and I shall be obliged to turn out the rebel officers, unless you can find room for him without my doing so.”
“I will not submit to this insolence!” exclaimed she, rushing out of the room.
“Good! Now wait till I find a room for you, Somers.”
“I would not have come here if I had not supposed the house was deserted. I feel faint again, major.”
“Don’t faint just yet.”
De Banyan made himself entirely at home; brought water, cologne, a smelling-bottle, and finally set up his friend for another brief period. He then went up stairs, selected a front room, which, from its contents, was evidently the apartment of Maud herself. He set Alick at work in the chamber making a fire, and otherwise preparing it for the reception of the sick officer.
The major then conducted his patient to the comfortable quarters he had secured, and put him to bed. All the house could furnish he obtained, with or without leave, and did all he could to improve the condition of his sick friend. At night Somers was in a raging fever, and the major was greatly alarmed at his condition.