"Glorious news, Miss Randolph!" he half whispered. "General
Scott will dine with a good appetite to-day."
"What is the news"
"Oh, a great victory! We have not got the details yet, of course; but it seems all is going right."
"It seems going right."
"Yes. You know we have not details yet. There's been heavy fighting, though."
"Is it a general engagement?"
"Oh, yes! All in that could be in. And some that had no business to be in. They say, Johnston has reinforced Beauregard; but they are totally routed, I believe. So it is said."
"Who says it?"
"The accounts from the battlefield, I presume. They are coming in all the time. The Nation has triumphed. I congratulate you. I know you are loyal. Mrs. Sand- ford will be rejoiced. Good afternoon."
It was too sudden, too soon, and too confused. I could not breathe freely yet. Johnston reinforced Beauregard? That was just what Patterson was expected to prevent; ought to have prevented. Then, probably, Patterson had done no fighting? I was pondering, when I suddenly found Major Fairbairn beside me. He belonged with the troops left to guard Washington.