Some excuse for a youngster like him--none for me! I"-- He stopped, for his eyes suddenly fell upon the bed and its occupant.
Both he and his companion started.

But to the natural, unaffected dismay of a gentleman who had unwittingly intruded upon a lady's bedchamber, Brant's quick eye saw a more disastrous concern superadded.

Colonel Lagrange was quick to recover himself, as they both removed their caps.
"A thousand pardons," he said, hurriedly stepping backwards to the door.
"But I hardly need say to a fellow-officer, general, that we had no idea of making so gross an intrusion! We heard some cock-and-bull story of your being occupied--cross-questioning an escaped or escaping nigger--or we should never have forced ourselves upon you." Brant glanced quickly at his wife.

Her face had apparently become rigid on the entrance of the two men; her eyes were coldly fixed upon the ceiling.

He bowed formally, and, with a wave of his hand towards the door, said,-- "I will hear your story below, gentleman." He followed them from the room, stopped to quietly turn the key in the lock, and then motioned them to precede him down the staircase..