Her hair is built up over a toupee with a charming
effect of stateliness, the dusting of powder upon the dark strands
bringing out the rich bloom of her brunette complexion. The shoulders
gleam through the meshes of the square of ancient yellow lace that
covers them, while the curves of the full young figure and the white
roundness of the arms, left bare by the elbow sleeves, are set off in
charming contrast by the stiff folds of the figured crimson brocade.
"Miss Edwards!" murmurs Mrs. Hamlin, as Elnathan and Reuben gape in
speechless bewilderment.
"Yes, it is I," replied Desire, coming forward a few steps, but still
keeping in the back of the room. "I came to tell you that the army is
going to march at dawn to-morrow to Lee, to take your son, and all who
are with him prisoners, and bring them back here to be punished."
There was a moment's silence, then Mrs. Hamlin said:
"How do you know it?"
"I was told so ten minutes since by the officers at my father's
house," replied Desire.
"And why do you tell us?" asked Mrs. Hamlin again, regarding her
keenly from beneath her bushy grey eyebrows, and speaking with a
certain slight hardness of tone, as if half suspicious of a warning
from such a source.
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