"
"No, you think you could. But you couldn't. No woman can really love a
poltroon or a coward."
"I'm not asking you to do a cowardly thing----"
"To desert my leader in a crisis?"
"To wash your hands of treachery and selfish ambitions."
"But it's not true," he retorted. "You mustn't say that. McClellan's a
leader of genius--brave, true, manly, patriotic."
"I've a nobler ideal of patriotism----"
"Your blundering backwoodsman in the White House?"
"Yes. He has but one thought--that the Union shall be saved. He has no
other ambition. If McClellan succeeds, he rejoices. If he fails, he is
heartbroken. I know that he has defended him against the assaults of his
enemies. He has refused to listen to men who assailed his loyalty and
patriotism. This generous faith your Chief is betraying to-day. That you
defend him is horrible--O John, dear, I can't--I won't let you stay! You
must break your connection with this conspiracy of vain ambition. The
country is calling now for every true, unselfish man--please!"
He lifted his hand in firm protest:
"And for that very reason I stand firmly by the man I believe destined
to save my country."
"You won't change Commanders because I ask it?"
He was silent a moment and a smile played about the corners of his lips:
"Would you change because I asked it?"
"Yes.
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