"I will come too," said Jeanne determinedly. "I think Dick is strong enough to see me if he can see the rest of the family."
"I forbid it," said Madame sternly. "He doesn't care to see you. The sight would be very unpleasant to him."
"The sight of me? His sister!" exclaimed the girl in amaze. "I do not believe it, Aunt Clarisse."
"You shall not go. He does not need you."
"I will go. I have stayed out quite long enough," and Jeanne rose from her seat and started for Dick's bedroom. But Madame was by her side instantly.
"If you do not do as I tell you, I will lock you up again," she said threateningly. "I think you had a taste of that once."
"You dare not," retorted Jeanne. "These people would not let you."
"Indeed, had I been in your aunt's place I would have done so long ago," declared Mrs. La Chaise who had always disliked the girl. Jeanne looked appealingly at her uncle but that gentleman only turned to Mr. La Chaise with some remark on the war. They were all against her, and as she gazed into their faces she realized how helpless she was.
"But I want to see my brother," she cried bursting into tears.
"You shall see him when I am ready for you to if you will be a good girl and obey me," said Madame Vance. "I do not choose that you shall to-day. Now run out in the yard or take a walk. It will do you good. Come, Adele, we will go to Dick."
With bursting heart Jeanne saw the two disappear into Dick's chamber. She sat looking longingly at the door for some time and then left the house and started for a walk, unable to sit still longer.
One of the hills of Vicksburg was called the Sky Parlor because of the extensive view that it commanded and also because it was a favorite resort of ladies in pleasant weather. Now, although the wind was cold and chill, Jeanne bent her steps toward it in the effort to find some distraction for her mind.
So intent was she on her own thoughts that she gazed on the surroundings with eyes that saw neither the hills nor the great bend of the river, nor indeed the two persons who were at a little distance from her. A sigh escaped her lips as she turned at length to retrace her steps. In so doing she was brought face to face with a man and a girl who were in the act of coming toward her. An exclamation of surprise burst from the girl's lips.