"And we are fooled?"

"Completely. They are by this time on the other side of the
Rappahannock."

With these words, Stuart dismissed the whole subject, turned to his
desk, and in a moment was busy at his official writing.




VII.


THE BALL BEFORE THE BATTLE.


On the same evening I was riding with Stuart toward Culpeper
Court-House.

"Do you know where we are going, Surry?" he said, with a laugh.

"I can guess, I think."

"Try."

"To the ball given by the young officers to the Charlottesville belles
tonight."

"You are wrong, old fellow. I don't dare to go there."