"Look here—and here," he cried, pointing to the broken sword
At that moment the men heard the door open and a woman's light footsteps behind them. It was Helena coming into the room.
"Did you call me, father?" she asked.
"No; go back immediately."
She looked doubtfully at the two men, who were now face to face as if in the act of personal quarrel, hesitated, seemed about to speak, and then, went out slowly.
There was silence for a moment after she was gone, and then Ishmael said—
"Do I understand you to say, sir, that Colonel Lord has gone in disgrace?"
"Yes, for consorting with the enemies of his country and refusing to obey the order of his General."
"Lost his place and rank as a soldier?"