“Miss Baron, I am thinking very sadly, if you are not, over the fact that I am to go away in the morning.”

“Yes,” she replied, half-consciously ignoring his personal view, “the old house and plantation will soon be as quiet and deserted as before.”

“Do you regret this?”

“I scarcely know.  I am very tired and feel sad over all that has happened.  Perhaps I’ll feel differently by and by, when I’ve rested and had time to think.”

“Oh, Miss Baron, if you knew how earnestly I hope to be remembered in those thoughts, to give you something definite to think of.”

She had scarcely the energy to check him, the thought occurring more than once, “I might just as well let him speak his mind and see how vain his hope is.”

“You have not given me encouragement,” he resumed.  “You have seemed too preoccupied, sad or weary; but this phase of your life will pass away.  Our glorious cause must soon be crowned with success.  If I survive, may I not hope that when I come again you will give me a hearing, a chance?  I can be patient, even though not patient by nature.  I will do all that a man—­”

“Captain,” interrupted the girl, at last, “I suppose, from the books I’ve read, I should make some fine speeches about the honor you are bestowing on me, and all that.  I’m too tired and sad for anything conventional and appropriate.  I’m just going to answer you like a simple, honest girl.  One of my chief reasons for sadness is that you feel as you do.  I see no reason for it.  I’m glad you say I’ve given you no encouragement, I know I have not.  Why should you care so for me when I do not and cannot respond at all?  I do sincerely wish you well, but it seems to me that it should be enough for a man when a girl listens to such words as yours in weary sadness only.”

“It may be hard indeed for a man to recognize this truth, Miss Baron, but I am not speaking of the present—­of the future rather.  There has been much to make you sad and weary.  Your very youth and high spirit will soon lead you to react from your present depression.  Let me speak of the future.  Please let me fill that with hope for you and for me.”

“Oh, I don’t know about the future.  For some reason I dread even to think of it.”

At this instant Whately galloped to the piazza, threw the reins on the neck of his horse as he dismounted, evidently not caring in his perturbation where the animal wandered.  He was in a bad mood, for things were not going smoothly at home.  The attitude of his rival at his cousin’s feet stung him into a jealous rage and he remarked bitterly as he strode past them, “Don’t let my inopportune arrival disturb this charming tete-a-tete.  In fact, I had no business to remain at my uncle’s home at all, even at the call of duty, after Captain Maynard signified his intention of making it the long-continued field of his operations.”

Cut to the quick, Maynard sprang to his feet, but Miss Lou merely made a gesture of annoyance and went to her room.