Then the two walked toward the manse, followed at a respectful distance by the officers of the staff.
Harry soon saw that the whole of Winchester was in gloom.

They knew there of the masses in blue converging on Jackson, and few had hope.
While Jackson remained at the manse he sat upon the portico within call.
There was little sound in Winchester.

The town seemed to have passed into an absolute silence.

Most of the doors and shutters were closed.
And yet the valley had never seemed more beautiful to Harry.

Far off were the dim blue mountains that enclosed it on either side, and the bright skies never bent in a more brilliant curve.
He felt again that overpowering desire to sleep, and he may have dozed a little when he sat there in the sun, but he was wide awake when Jackson called him.
"I want you to go at once to Harper's Ferry with this note," he said, "and give it to the officer in command.