"
"And what is he going to do with these seventy-fire thousand
men, Christian?"
"Put down treason, if he can. Don't you realise yet that we
have a civil war on our hands, aunt Catherine? The Southern
States are mustering and sending their forces; we must meet
them, or give up the whole question; that is, give up the
Country."
"And what is it that _they_ will try to do?" said Miss Cardigan.
"It is a mystery to me what they want; but I suppose I know;
only bad men are a mystery to me always."
"They will try to defy the laws," said Thorold. "We will try
to see them executed."
"They seem very fierce," said Miss Cardigan; "to judge by what
they say."
"And do," added Thorold. "I think there is a sort of madness
in Southern blood!"
He spoke with a manner of disgustful emphasis. I looked up at
him, to see an expression quite in keeping with his words.
Miss Cardigan cried out, —
"Hey, lad! Ye're confident, surely, to venture your opinions
so plainly and so soon!"
His face changed, as if sunlight had been suddenly poured over
it.
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