"Certainly not," indignantly, "I have not spoken to Captain Le Gaire."
"Well, Miss Billie," soberly, "I accept your words just as they are spoken, and will trouble you no longer with my attentions. But this has become a military matter now. It is too late for us to attempt getting back, but I have sent a man for reinforcements, and we shall hold this house until they come. I do not propose to release a single prisoner, or permit a rumor of what has occurred here to reach Confederate headquarters. You are also a prisoner, although I will accept your parole."
She flung back her head defiantly.
"Which I refuse to give."
"Then obey my orders; is that your room yonder?"
"Yes."
"I will trouble you to go in there."
She stared at me, biting her lip, with foot tapping the carpet, but I had spoken sternly.
"Do you mean that?"
"Every word. I hope I shall not have to call one of my men, and place you under guard."