Whether New England were still English in
government or became French provinces depended more upon the fate of
Louisburg than anybody liked to confess.
"I don't believe there's any danger of our being French provinces," said
Katie.
"I ought to have put it that we fight the battle there or in our own
home," said Elizabeth. Then as they went on to speak of the soldiers,
she said suddenly to Bulchester: "What does your lordship do without
Mr. Edmonson?" The latter shifted his foot on the floor uneasily.
"I suppose you think that I ought to have gone too," he said half in
apology, "but--," He looked at Katie and his face brightened: she was
not a woman to blame him because his love for her had kept him at home.
He did not linger upon the other part of the truth, that he was not fond
of war in any event. "I have helped in my small way," he said. "Don't
believe me quite without patriotism." Elizabeth looked surprised.
"I did not mean that at all," she answered. "I was not thinking of it,
but only that you had been so much with Mr. Edmonson, that you must miss
him."
"I don't know," answered Bulchester. After a moment's hesitation he
added, "I see you look surprised: the intimacy between us seemed to you
close?"
"Why, yes, it did," assented Elizabeth, "very close.
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