“Why?  Should you not wish to end this miserable affair as quickly as possible?”

“Oh, of course; but I shall not put on rebel clothing as long as I can do as well with my own,”

“There is going to be some murderous work up the river—­or somewhere on your right—­in a day or two,” said the Doctor.  “General Butterfield has given stringent orders for no man to leave camp for an hour.”

“Who is General Butterfield?”

“He commands a brigade in Porter’s corps.  We are just in rear of his camp—­Morell’s division.”

“And you suppose that his order indicates the situation here?”

“Yes; evidently your troops are prepared to move.  I am almost sorry that I have sent for Lydia to come.”

“And they will move to the right?”

“Unquestionably; there is no longer any doubt that your right flank is threatened.”

“Then why not fall back to the left?”

“McClellan cannot afford personally to make any movement that would look like retreat.  Your right is threatened, and your right will hold; it may attack.”

“Doctor, why is it that you always say your instead of our?”

“Because I am neutral,” said the Doctor.

“But your sympathies are with us.”

“Only in part; the Southern cause is weak through slavery, but strong in many other points.  I think we have discussed this before.”

That we had done so did not prevent us from discussing it again.  The Doctor seemed never to tire of presenting arguments for the complete abolition of slavery, while his even balance of mind allowed him to sympathize keenly with the political contention of the South.

We had been talking for half an hour or so, when we heard some one approaching.

The Doctor rose and admitted an officer.  I saluted; then I was presented to Captain Auchmuty, of General Morell’s staff.

“I am afraid that my visit will not prove pleasant, Doctor,” he said.  “General Morell has learned that Mr. Berwick is here, and proposes to borrow him, if possible.”

The captain looked first at Dr. Khayme, and then at me; the Doctor looked at me; I looked at the ground.

The captain continued, “Of course, General Morell understands that he is asking a favour rather than giving an order; but if he knows the circumstances, he believes you are ready to go anywhere you may be needed.”

“General Morell is very kind,” said I; “may I know what work is required of me?”

“Nothing is required; that is literally true.” said Captain Auchmuty.  “General Morell asks a favour; if you will be so good as to accompany me to his tent, you shall have the matter explained.”

The courtesy with which General Morell was treating me—­for he could just as easily have sent for me by his orderly—­made me think myself his debtor.

“I will go with you, Captain,” said I; “good-by, Doctor.”