Colonel Mohun became devoted; the young woman forgot her
sarcasm. My emissary saw them riding out more than once near Culpeper
Court-House; and since the return of the army, they have been billing
and cooing like two doves, quite love sick! That's agreeable, is it
not, madam?"
And Darke uttered a singular laugh. As for the woman she had grown so
pale, I thought she would faint.
"Do you understand, madam?" continued Darke. "Colonel Mohun is in love
_again_; and the name of his friend is--Georgia Conway!"
The woman was silent; but I saw that she was gnawing her nails.
"My budget is not exhausted, madam," continued Darke. "The young lady
has a sister; her name is Virginia. She too has a love affair with a
young officer of the artillery. His name is William Davenant!"
And the speaker clutched the arm of a chair so violently that the wood
cracked in his powerful grasp.
"That is all!" he added. "The Mohuns, Davenants and Conways, are about
to intermarry, you see! Their blood is going to mingle, their hands to
clasp, in spite of the gulf of fire that divides their people! All is
forgotten, or they care nothing. They are yonder, billing, and cooing,
and kissing! the tender hearts are throbbing--all the world is bright
to them--while I am here, and you, tearing our hearts out in despair!"
Darke stopped, uttering a sound between a curse and a groan.
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