“Yes, I understand.  I really am more so; but how can I help you out if he never even sees me when I’m there?” And Caroline raised eyes to him that held a hint of wistfulness in their banter.

“The old mole-eyed grump never sees anybody nor anything.  But let’s plot a scheme.  This three-handed game doesn’t suit me; promise to be good and sit in.  I haven’t had Phoebe to myself for the long time.  He needs a heart interest of his own—­I’m tired of lending him mine.  You’re not busy—­that’s a sweet girl!  Don’t make me feel I inherited you for nothing,” said David in a most beguiling voice as he moved a shade nearer to her.

“I promise, I promise!  If you take that tone with me, I’m afraid not to:  but I feel you mistake my powers,” and Caroline laid the rose across her knee and dropped her long lashes over her eyes.  “I think I’ll fail with your poet; something tells me it is a vain task.  Let’s put it in the hands of the gods.  It may interest them.”

“No, I’m going to shoo him in here right now,” answered David, bent upon the immediate accomplishment of his scheme for the relief of his very independent lady-love from her friendly durance.  “You just wait and get a line of moon-talk ready for him.  Keep that rose in your hand and handle your eyes carefully.”

“Oh, but it’s impossible!” exclaimed Caroline with real alarm in her voice.  She rose and the flower fell shattered at her feet.  “I’m going to have a little business talk with the major before Captain Cantrell and the other gentlemen come.  I have an appointment with him.  Won’t you leave it to the gods?”

“No, for the gods might not know Phoebe.  She’d hunt a hot brick for a sick kitten if I was freezing to death, and besides I need her in my business at this very moment.”

“Caroline, my dear,” said the major from the door into the library, “from the strenuosity in the tones of David Kildare I judge he is discussing his usual topic.  Phoebe and Andrew have just gone and left their good-bys for you both.”

“Now, Major,” demanded David indignantly, “how could you let her get away when you had her here?”

“Young man,” answered the major, “the constraining of a woman of these times is well-nigh impossible, as you should have found out after your repeated efforts in that direction.”

“That’s it, Major, you can’t hang out any signal for them now; you have to grab them as they go past, swing out into space and pray for strength to hold on.  I believe if you stood still they would come and feed out of your hand a heap quicker than they will be whistled down—­if you can get the nerve to try ’em.  Think I’ll go and see.”  And David took his studiedly unhurried departure.

“David Kildare translates courtship into strange modern terms,” remarked the major as he led Caroline into the library and seated her in Mrs. Matilda’s low chair near his own.

“The roses are blooming this morning, my dear,” he said, looking with delight at the soft color in her cheeks and the stars in her black-lashed, violet eyes.  A shaft of sunlight glinted in the gold of her hair which was coiled low and from which little tendrils curled down on her white neck.