"Miss Ravenel," he said, "you are a very influential person. Every body who knows you admits it. Mr. Colburne admits it. I admit it."
Lillie blushed with unusual heartiness and tried in vain to think of some saucy answer. The Colonel's quizzical smile, his free and easy compliments and confident address, sometimes touched the pride of the young lady, and made her desire to rebel against him.
"I want you," he continued, "to persuade Doctor Ravenel to be a colonel."
"A colonel!" exclaimed father and daughter.
"Yes, and a better colonel than half those in the service."
"On which side, Colonel Carter?" asked Miss Ravenel, who saw a small chance for vengeance.
"Good heavens! Do you suppose I am recruiting for rebel regiments?"
"I didn't know but Mrs. Larue might have brought you over."
The Colonel laughed obstreperously at the insinuation, not in the least dashed by its pertness.
"No, it's a loyal regiment; black in the face with loyalty. General Butler has decided on organizing a force out of the free colored population of the city."
"It isn't possible. Oh, what a shame!" exclaimed Lillie.
The Doctor said nothing, but leaned forward with marked interest.
"There is no secret about it," continued Carter. "The thing is decided on, and will be made public immediately. But it is a disagreeable affair to handle. It will make an awful outcry, here and every where. It wouldn't be wise to identify the Government too closely with it until it is sure to be a success. Consequently the darkies will be enrolled as militia--State troops, you see--just as your rebel friend Lovell, Miss Ravenel, enrolled them. Moreover, to give the arrangement a further local character it is thought best to have at least one of the regiments commanded by some well known citizen of New Orleans. I proposed this idea to the General, and he doesn't think badly of it. Now who will sacrifice himself for his country? Who will make the niggers in uniform respectable? Doctor, will you do it?"
"Papa, you shall do no such thing," cried Lillie, thoroughly provoked. Then, reproachfully, "Oh, Colonel Carter!" The Colonel laughed with immovable good humor, and surveyed her pretty wrath with calm admiration.
"Be quiet, my child," pronounced the Doctor with an unusual tone of authority. "Colonel, I am interested, exceedingly interested in what you tell me. The idea is admirable. It will be a lasting honor to the man who conceived it."