The major bowed with all the ceremony of the old school, convinced of the utter futility of further argument.

“You will have you own way; you always have,” regretfully.  “I shall request the captain to join you here.”

CHAPTER XIX

LE GAIRE FORCES A DECISION

He left the room reluctantly enough, pausing at the door to glance back, but she had sunk down into the rocker, and made no relenting sign.  Every sense of right compelled me to withdraw; I could not remain, a hidden spy, to listen to her conversation with Le Gaire.  My heart leaped with exultation, with sudden faith that possibly her memory of me might lie back of this sudden distrust, this determination for freedom.  Yet this possibility alone rendered impossible my lingering here to overhear what should pass between them in confidence.  Interested as I was personally I possessed no excuse to remain; every claim of duty was elsewhere.  I had already learned General Johnston was not present, and that an attack was projected against our left and centre.  This was news of sufficient importance to be reported at headquarters without delay.  To be sure the withdrawal of troops from this end of the Confederate line made our own return trip less dangerous, still, even if I ventured to remain longer, I must early despatch a courier with the news.

I drew silently back from the window, flinging one limb over the balcony rail, preparing to drop to the ground below.  Her back was toward me, and she heard nothing; then a man came round the end of the house, walking slowly and smoking.  I could see the red glow of his cigar, and inhale the fragrance of the tobacco.  I hung on desperately, bending my body along the rail, and he passed directly beneath, yet so shadowed I could merely distinguish his outline.  The fellow—­an officer, no doubt, seeking a breath of fresh air—­strolled to the opposite corner, and then turned off into the orchard.  I dared not risk an attempt to drop and run, for I knew not what might await me in the darkness.  Yet where I clung I was exposed to discovery, and, when he turned his back, I sank down once more within the shelter of the balcony.  He stopped under the trees, apparently having found a seat of some kind, although I could see nothing except the tip of the burning cigar, as he flipped aside the ashes.  I had almost forgotten what might be occurring within, until aroused by the sound of Le Gaire’s voice.

He certainly looked a handsome fellow, standing there with hand still on the knob of the door, dressed in a new uniform tailored to perfection, his lips and eyes smiling pleasantly, never suspecting the reason for which he was summoned.

“What is it, Billie?” he asked easily.  “A last word, hey?”

“Yes,” she answered, lifting her eyes to his face, but not advancing.  “I—­I have been thinking it all over while waiting here alone, and—­and I find I am not quite ready.  I sent for you to ask release from my promise, or, at least, that you will not insist upon our—­our marriage to-night.”