Harry was conscious that the thrill, longer and stronger than before, ran again through the room.
"I have just received a letter from an old friend in Charleston," continued Dr.Russell in a shaking voice, "and he tells me that on the twentieth, three days ago, the state of South Carolina seceded from the Union.

He also sends me copies of two of the Charleston newspapers of the day following.

In both of these papers all despatches from the other states are put under the head, 'Foreign News.' With the Abolitionists of New England pouring abuse upon all who do not agree with them, and the hot heads of South Carolina rushing into violence, God alone knows what will happen to this distracted country that all of us love so well." He turned anew to his correspondence.

But Harry saw that he was trembling all over.

An excited murmur arose.