"
Although there was nothing more in this movement than occurred every day
on such occasions, yet the lady trembled, colored, and grew pale again,
seemingly endeavoring to rally her thoughts, until, by her agitation,
she had excited the interest of the whole party; when by an effort, and
in a manner as if she had striven in vain to think of another, Isabella
said, faintly,--
"Major Dunwoodie."
The health was drunk cheerfully by all but Colonel Wellmere, who wet his
lips, and drew figures on the table with some of the liquor he
had spilled.
At length Colonel Wellmere broke silence by saying aloud to Captain
Lawton,--
"I suppose, sir, this Mr. Dunwoodie will receive promotion in the rebel
army, for the advantage my misfortune gave him over my command."
The trooper had supplied the wants of nature to his perfect
satisfaction; and, perhaps, with the exception of Washington and his
immediate commander, there was no mortal whose displeasure he regarded a
tittle. First helping himself, therefore, to a little of his favorite
bottle, he replied with admirable coolness,--
"Colonel Wellmere, your pardon; Major Dunwoodie owes his allegiance to
the confederated states of North America, and where he owes it he pays
it. Such a man is no rebel. Promoted I hope he may be, both because he
deserves it, and because I am next in rank in the corps; and I know not
what you call a misfortune, unless you deem meeting the Virginia
horse as such.
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