You may be
right; I hope you are; but the fellows I know in the North are as full of
pluck as ourselves, and I fear there is a long, fierce, bloody struggle
before us." He stood before her with folded arms and grave, earnest face,
his eyes meeting hers unflinchingly. "And ere I rush into it I want to
know that I am ready for death and for judgment."
"No need to hesitate on that account," she said, with a contemptuous
smile; "you've always been a remarkably upright young man, and I'm sure
are safe enough. Besides, I haven't a doubt that those who die in defense
of their country go straight to heaven."
He shook his head. "I have been studying the Bible a good deal of late,
and I know that that would never save my soul."
"This is some of Horace's and Elsie's work; I wish they would attend to
their own affairs and let you and others alone." And she rose and swept
angrily from the room.
Walter did not appear at dinner, nor was he seen again for several days;
but as such absences were not infrequent--he having undertaken a sort of
general oversight of both the Oaks and Ion--this excited no alarm.
The first day in fact was spent at Ion; the next he rode over to the Oaks.
Mrs. Murray always made him very comfortable, and was delighted to have
the opportunity; for the place was lonely for her in the absence of the
family.
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