Miss Lou, thinking it possible that she might see the Northern officer again, had taken her own way of convincing him that he was still within the bounds of civilization, for she made a toilet more careful than the one with which she had deigned to grace the appointed day of her wedding.  She could scarcely believe her eyes when, entering the supper room a little late, she saw Scoville already seated at the table.  He instantly rose and made her a ceremonious bow, thus again indicating that their past relations should be completely ignored in the presence of others.  She therefore gravely returned his salutation and took her place without a word, but her high color did not suggest indifference to the situation.  Mr. Baron went through the formal “grace” as usual and then said, “Ahem! you will admit, sir, that it is a little embarrassing to know just how to entertain one with whom we have some slight difference of opinion.”

“Perhaps such embarrassment will be removed if we all speak our minds freely,” replied Scoville, pleasantly.  “Pardon the suggestion, but the occasion appears to me favorable to a frank and interesting exchange of views.  If my way of thinking were wholly in accord with yours my words could be little better than echoes.  I should be glad to feel that my presence was no restraint whatever.”

“I’m inclined to think you are right, sir,” added Mrs. Whately.  “It would be mere affectation on our part to disguise our thoughts and feelings.  With neighbors, and even with friends, we are often compelled to do this, but I scarcely see why we should do so with an open enemy.”

“And such I trust you will find me, madam, an open enemy in the better sense of the adjective.  As far as I can, I will answer questions if you wish to ask any.  I will tell you honestly all the harm I meditate and outline clearly the extent of my hostility, if you will do the same,” and he smiled so genially that she half smiled also as she answered: 

“To hear you, sir, one would scarcely imagine you to be an enemy at all.  But then we know better.”

“Yes, sir, pardon me, we do,” said Mr. Baron, a little stiffly.  “For one, I would like your honest statement of just what harm you and your command meditate.  I am one who would rather face and prepare for whatever I shall be compelled to meet.”

“I think, sir, you have already met and faced the direst event of the evening—­my presence at your hospitable board.  Even this hardship is due to your courtesy, not to my compulsion.”

Miss Lou bowed low over her plate at this speech.

“But how about the long hours of the night, sir?  Have you such control over your men—­”

“Yes, sir!” interrupted Scoville with dignity.  “The men I have with me are soldiers, not camp-followers.  They would no more harm you or anything you possess, without orders, than I would.”

“Without orders—­a clause of large latitude.  As far as words go you have already robbed me of the greater part of my possessions.  You have told my slaves that they are free.”