Revolving these plans in her mind, Cora Rothsay retired to rest. The next morning she arose at her usual hour, dressed, and went down stairs.
Old Aaron Rockharrt and his young wife were already in the parlor, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.
She had but just greeted them when the call came, and all moved toward the breakfast room.
Just as the three had seated themselves at the table, and while Rose was pouring out the coffee, the sound of carriage wheels was heard approaching the house, and a few minutes later Mr. Clarence and Sylvan entered the breakfast room with joyous bustle.
"What--what--what does this unseemly excitement mean?" sternly demanded the Iron King, while Cora arose to shake hands with her uncle and brother; and while Rose, fearful of doing wrong, did nothing at all.
"What is the matter? What has happened? Why have you left the works at this hour of the morning, Clarence?" he requested of his son.
"I came with Sylvan, sir, for the last time before he leaves us for distant and dangerous service, and for an unlimited period."
"Ah! you have your orders, then?" said Mr. Rockharrt, in a somewhat mollified tone.
"Yes, sir," said the young lieutenant. "I received my commission by the earliest mail this morning, with orders to report for duty to Colonel Glennin, of the Third Regiment of Infantry, now at Governor's Island, New York harbor, and under orders to start for Fort Farthermost, on the Mexican frontier. I must leave to-night in order to report in time."
Cora looked at him with the deepest interest.
Rose thought now she might venture on a little civility without giving offense to her despotic lord.
"Have you had breakfast, you two?" she inquired.
"No, indeed. We started immediately after receiving the orders," said Sylvan. "And we are as hungry as two bears."
"Bring chairs to the table, Mark, for the gentlemen," said young Mrs. Rockharrt, who then rang for two more covers and hot coffee.
"Cora," whispered Sylvan, as soon as he got a chance to speak to his sister, "you can never get ready to go with me on so short a notice. Women have so much to do."
"Sylvan," she replied, "I have been ready for a month."
The day succeeding that on which Sylvanus Haught had received his commission as second lieutenant in the 3d Regiment of Infantry, then on Governor's Island, New York harbor, and under orders for Fort Farthermost, on the southwestern frontier, was a very busy one for Cora Rothsay; for, however well she had been prepared for a sudden journey, there were many little final details to be attended to which would require all the time she had left at her disposal.