ld see us both
this morning. Was Russell here last night?"

"Russell? No. Why do you ask? Is he in the city? Have you seen him?"

She rose quickly, laid her hand on Irene's, and looked searchingly at her.

"I have not seen him, but your cousin Harvey mentioned that Colonel Aubrey
came up with him, on some very important errand, and had but a few hours to
remain. I will get my shawl and join you in five minutes. Electra, you must
stay at home and rest for a day or two; you are feverish, and worn out with
constant watching."

CHAPTER XXXIV

MORTALLY WOUNDED

"It is a mercy that she is delirious; otherwise her unavoidable excitement
and anxiety would probably prove fatal. She is very ill, of course; but,
with careful nursing, I think you have little to apprehend. Above all
things, Irene, suffer nobody to bolt into that room with the news--keep her
as quiet as possible. I have perfect confidence in Whitmore's skill; he
will do all that I could, though I would not leave her if I did not feel it
my duty to hurry to the battlefield. Queen, you look weary; but it is not
strange, after all that you have passed through."

"Doctor, when will you start?"

"In twenty minutes."

"Has any intelligence been received this morning?"

"Nothing but confirmation of last night's news. Hill holds Mechanicsville,
and the enemy have fallen back in the direction of Powhite Swamp. A general
advance will be made all along our lines to-day, and I must be off. What is
the matter? Surely you are not getting frightened."

"Frightened--Dr. Arnold? No. I have no fears about the safety of Richmond;
defeat is not written in Lee's lexicon; but I shudder in view of the
precious human hecatombs to be immolated on yonder hills before McClellan
is driven back. No doubt of victory disquiets me, but the thought of its
awful price."

She paused, and her whole face quivered as she laid her clasped hands on
his arm.

"Well--what is it? Dear child, what moves you so?"

"Doctor, promise me that if Colonel Aubrey is mortally wounded you will
send instantly for me. I must see him once more."

Her head went down on her hands, and she trembled as white asters do in an
early autumn gale. Compassionately the old man drew one arm around her.

"After all, then, you do care for him--despite your life-long reserve and
apparent indifference? I have suspected as much, several times, but that
imperturbable sphinx-face of yours always baffled me. My chil