Can I escape in any manner through the house ?" She shook her head, her glance wandering from the lighted room out again into the night.
"No; there is only the one door." "Who are here besides Le Gaire and your father ?" "A half-dozen officers, two from the Louisiana regiment, the rest belonging to the staff; they are just ending up a feast in the dining-room." "And is the house under guard ?" She hesitated, looking me now squarely in the eyes, her face clearly revealed as the light from within fell upon it.
"Why do you ask ?--for military reasons ?" "No; that is all passed and gone.

We came hoping to capture General Johnston, as scouts informed us this was his headquarters for the night.
But he is not here, and you will do your cause no harm by telling me all I ask." "I do not think there are any guards posted," she answered, convinced that I spoke the truth.

"I have not been out, but I am sure there are no soldiers about the place, except the officers' servants at the stable with the horses.

The general departed before dark, and took his bodyguard with him." She had no reason to deceive me, and her sincerity was beyond question.
This was better than I had dared hope, and instantly a new plan leaped into my mind, the very audacity of which made me gasp.

Yet it might work, carried out with sufficient boldness, although only to be resorted to as a last desperate necessity.