Page 9 (2/2)

His head bowed, he hesitated, and asked in a whisper, "You are willing to speak to me? After my inexcusable behavior?"

Perplexed, Madelaine stepped aside to ad that would keepyou What do you want?" It was the only question that came clearly to mind, and it was out before she could soften or modify it in any way

He pressed the door closed quickly "I don’t think anyone saw me" he said cautiously

"Possibly not," said Madelaine, her baffle as she looked at him "You are soaked to the skin"

"It doesn’tto look directly into her violet eyes "I have been a fool and a coward, and I wouldn’t blame you if you tossedas she looked, Madelaine e of the offer; as it was, she shook her head "No, I won’t do that But I have a few questions I hope you will answer" She indicated the way to the parlor

"Thank you, Madame," he said with unwonted huainst it as if he had been pursued by the hounds of hell "Let e may fail me, and then I will be thrice-da his voice quite low "I have chastisedday it grew more difficult to act at all I have all but convinced myself that you do not wish to see me because of my cravenness So I must come to you now, or mire hopelessly in my own inaction Poor Hamlet had to bear the sarasped the full scope of his predicament until now" He passed his hand over his eyes "I’ive htened up and moved a few steps to stand directly hi front of her "I’ht a war, but I have seen men fall of fatal wounds, in Seminole ambushes, and I have held my comrades while they bled to death so that they would not be wholly alone"

"What has that to do with you andconfused

"Let s I should have said to you days ago"

She realized no detero on"

Sherman took a stance as if to fend off attack "You would think that one who is… or, rather, has been a soldier would not have such weakness" He held up his hands to stop any protests sheto let Madelaine see the shine of tears in his eyes

"Tecu for a phrase to end his self-condeaze, determined to admit his faults "You have been so self-possessed, that I--"

"Iso, youto turn him away from further abaseelic role"

"Yqu conduct yourself like a good officer, Madelaine" This was the highest praise he could give her

"If that is true and useful, then it pleases me you think so" She tried to smile and nearly succeeded "Well, I will consider myself fortunate that I have so it in high regard Letto eat"

"No," he insisted "I aether so that he would not be tempted to reach out for her "It is inexcusable of me not to offer you any succor I can provide My only excuse is that I am filled with anxiety about my children, and so have kept close to them for these past several days, for with their mother away, they are-- You cannot blame me more than I blame myself"

"Doubtless," she said dryly

"I a to finish "I aive him a facile answer, Madelaine realized; it would also shut him away from her as no barred door could do She considered her response carefully "I kno hard it is to say these things to me"