She saw that her father exulted
more over her husband's soldierly qualities than in all his wealth;
and although they spent the summer season as usual at the seaside with
Mrs. Mayburn, the hearts of all three were following two regiments
through the forests and fields of Virginia. Half a score of journals
were daily searched for items concerning them, and the arrival of the
mails was the event of the day.
There came a letter in the autumn which filled the heart of Grace with
immeasurable joy and very, very deep sadness. Mrs. Mayburn was
stricken to the heart, and would not be comforted, while the old major
swore and blessed God by turns.
The cause was this. The brigade with which the friends were connected
was sent on a _reconnaissance_, and they felt the enemy strongly
before retiring, which at last they were compelled to do
precipitately. It so happened that Hilland commanded the rear-guard.
In an advance he ever led; on a retreat he was apt to keep well to the
rear. In the present instance the pursuit had been prompt and
determined, and he had been compelled to make more than one repelling
charge to prevent the retiring column from being pressed too hard.
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