"I suppose I am," I returned, commanding a smile by this time—"but that's a very different being from a Yankee. And I don't know whether I am or not," I went on with a quite ardent heart; "because I'm a Southerner—my father was a Confederate soldier," I broke out, regardless of the canons of good taste, "and he was wounded twice at Gettysburg, so he was."
"Did he recover?" the Baronet enquired, in a tone that was meant to be sympathetic.
I stared at the man. "Did he recover?" I echoed; "how long do you think it is since Gettysburg was fought, Sir Austin?"
I verily believe the title was music to the man. In any case, he mellowed perceptibly. "It was a foolish question—from any one who has ever seen you," he admitted; "and they were a brave lot of men, even if they did get beaten," he continued cordially enough; "they put up a great fight, did those rebels, Mrs.—er?" as he paused for my name.
This was too much. "They weren't rebels," I flung back; "nobody has a right to call them rebels—they were soldiers fighting for their country—and they weren't beaten, they were starved," I added; and I wouldn't have cared if he had been the proudest duke in England.
The lordlet adjusted his monocle afresh and took a wondering look at me. I do not know what reply, if any, he was about to make; for just then came an interruption fraught with more of consequence than would have appeared likely on the surface.
"Mr. Laird's wanted, sir," announced a servant. Wherewith Gordon excused himself for a moment and hurried out to the hall.
"I'll have to ask you to let me run away, Mr. Ashton," he said, returning after a brief absence. "I'm afraid I'll have to go."
"What!" exclaimed our host incredulously; "have to go!—the dinner's only just begun, sir."
"I'm very sorry," replied my husband, "but I've been sent for—somebody wants me, and I must go," with which he turned back into the hall, for Mr. Ashton had already risen from his chair. He was still protesting as he followed him out; the talk around the table began again, but I could still catch the conversation in the hall.