Part 31 (2/2)
”No, Mrs. Wilders,” said McKay, simply; ”I am now a commissioned officer, and have the honour to be the general's aide-de-camp.”
”Rapid promotion that: I hope you deserved it. May I ask your name?”
”McKay--Stanislas McKay.”
Could it be possible? The very man she was in search of the first to speak to her on arrival here at Balaclava! Surely there must be some mistake! Mastering her emotion at the suddenness of this news, she said--
”You will forgive my curiosity, but have you any other Christian names?”
”My name in full is Stanislas Anastasius Wilders McKay.”
”That answer is my best excuse for asking you the question. You are, then, our cousin?”
McKay bowed.
”I have heard of you,” said Mrs. Wilders. ”Allow me to congratulate you,” and she held out her hand.
CHAPTER XVIII.
A NOVEMBER GALE.
”Will you not come down into the cabin?” said Mrs. Wilders, civilly; ”the lunch is still on the table, and I daresay you will be glad of something to eat.”
”I have not touched food all day, Mrs. Wilders.”
”You must have been very busy, then?”
”Surely you have heard what has happened this morning?”
Mrs. Wilders looked at him amazed.
”A desperate battle has been fought.”
”Another!” She thought of what Mr. Hobson had told her. ”How has it ended? In whose favour? Are we safe here?”
”There is no cause for alarm. The Russians have been handsomely beaten again; but we have suffered considerable loss,” he said, hesitating a little, fearing to be too brusque with his bad news.
”Is that why the general could not come?”
”Exactly. He has had a great deal to do.”
”Nothing should have prevented him from coming here.”
It never seemed to have occurred to her that he had been in any danger; nor, as McKay noticed, had she asked whether he was safe and well.
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