Her idle prayer that her own land's commonplace
sordidness might be obscured by the glamour of Old World romance came
back to her; she had been in touch with an adventure that was certainly
proving fruitful of diversion. The _coup de theatre_ by which Armitage
had taken the place of his servant had amused her for a moment; but she
was vexed and angry now that he had dared come again to the house.
"You are under arrest, Mr. Armitage; I must detain you here," said
Claiborne.
"In America--in free Virginia--without legal process?" asked Armitage,
laughing.
"You are a housebreaker, that is enough. Shirley, please go!"
"You were not detached from the army to find a housebreaker. But I will
make your work easy for you--day after to-morrow I will present myself to
you wherever you say. But now--that cable message which my man found in
your sheep pasture is of importance. I must trouble you to read it to
me."
"No!" shouted Claiborne.
Armitage drew a step nearer.
"You must take my word for it that matters of importance, of far-reaching
consequence, hang upon that message.
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