58. CHAPTER LVIII.
LAST SCENE AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
“Father,” said Alice, “you have sent away your friends,
so that none may witness and report the humiliating spectacle
of the Chief Magistrate driven from the Capital.”
“But I am not melancholy,” said the President with
one of his most confident smiles, as he stood in the glare
of the brilliant chandelier that illuminated the room. “I
am the last to leave, and will be the first to return. I
might keep this Northern horde of fanatics at bay, and
even prevent their entrance into the Capital; but it would
be at the expense of many loyal lives, and might involve
the ultimate destruction of the city and the Union. Hereafter
I shall be economical of the blood of the patriots.
But these blind followers of evil teachers—woe to them!
And you! my Marble! You weep not—sorrow not—at the
absence of the crowd of flatterers, or at the thought of
departing from the scene of your many triumphs. Be of
good cheer. The worst of your trials are over.”
“Unless, father, we should become the captives of Ruffleton
in our native South—or even here, before we can
escape! Why do we tarry?”
“It is not the hour,” said Randolph, looking at his watch.
“The vanguard of the invaders have been taught the necessity
of circumspection, and when they do enter the city it
will be with fear and trembling.”
“Fly! Fly! The precious moments are ebbing for
ever!” shouted Crazy Charlotte, striding in and confronting
the President and his daughter.
“I would not recall one of the precious moments, Charlotte,”
said Randolph. “They have been counted, and each
has its allotted function.”
“But is there any lurking danger?” asked Alice, placing
her hand on the arm of the woman, and gazing steadily in
her face.
“Lurking danger? Death lurks at every corner, and
the owls are hooting from every tree. The snake is
gliding through the grass that was warmed into life: the
dog is whetting his teeth to bite the hand that fed him!
Why not fly? But do not go in the carriage!”
“It was never my purpose to depart in the carriage,”
said the President.
“Indeed!” said Alice.
“I am glad of that!” said Charlotte.
“Why are you glad? I thought you were the friend of
Ruffleton.”
“He thought so, too! I will now convince you that I am
your friend. Call your servant hither—your freed-man
Abel!”
“Abel!” said Randolph, beckoning the man who stood
in the hall, holding a portmanteau. “Now,” he continued,
when Abel approached, “what, Charlotte, can you prove
by Abel?”
“Down on your knees, you traitor! or I will turn you
into a spider and crush you beneath my heel!”
Abel, terrified, fell upon his knees, while his limbs trembled
violently. He, like many others, believed Charlotte
a witch, or in league with the Evil One.
“Now confess your sins! Confess, and ask pardon!
Where's your evil genius, Windvane?”
At that word Abel fell prostrate at Randolph's feet.
“Windvane!” said the President. “He, no doubt, is
a traitor!”
Abel confessed everything; and Wiry Willy arriving
during the recital of the plan for the seizure of the President,
was dispatched by Alice to summon Bim.
“But, Man of Destiny!” said Charlotte, “why do you
keep your carriage waiting at the door?”
“You have gained my whole heart, Charlotte,” said
Randolph, “and I will withhold no secrets from you. My
purpose is merely to deceive my enemies. Being the last
to depart, they cannot conceive any other mode of departure
than that.”
“Great and Gifted! You would have been saved without
my interposition!”
“But that does not detract from your merits, Charlotte,
and when I return to the Capital, I shall remember your
fidelity.”
“You WILL return! It is recorded by Destiny! But,
now, fly! Depart while you can do so in safety!”
“No, not yet. These conspirators in the Treasury
building must be arrested. And then I will, with my
own hand, give the signal. I have rockets here.”
“And will the carriage depart, father?” asked Alice.
“Certainly. They will not injure the driver.”
Bim and his five men arrived shortly after. They were
sent to the Treasury building to apprehend Windvane and
Virus, with instructions to conduct them, bound, to the
boats.
“Now, Charlotte,” said the President, “the time has
come for my departure. Do you hasten to welcome the
Despot. He will not remain as long, nor, probably, be so
hospitable to the friendless Charlotte, as Randolph. You
have evinced your gratitude and fidelity, Charlotte—your
hand.”
Crazy Charlotte shed tears when she grasped the President's
hand; then turning to Alice, she embraced and
kissed her.
“God bless you both!” said she. “To think that poor
Crazy Charlotte, only, should be present to take leave of
the President and his daughter! I am not always so wild!
And, please God, I'll be of service to you!” She then
rushed away.
“Abel,” said the President, “get into the carriage. Willy,
see the driver and tell him when the rocket ascends to start,
but to proceed very slowly. He must make no resistance
at the bridge, and he need not endeavor to escape.”
The President, then, after promenading the halls a moment
longer in perfect composure, stepped out on the balcony in
the rear, and ignited a rocket. It ascended high in the air,
and burst into innumerable brilliant stars.
“Now, Alice! Come Willy!” said he. “A race for
the boats!” And the three hastened through the lawn
towards the margin of the river.
