Merwyn went away elated, feeling that he had gained all for which he had a right to hope.  Eager as he was for the coming interview with Marian, he dreaded it and feared that he might be painfully embarrassed.  In this eagerness he started early for an evening call; but when he reached his destination, he hesitated, passing and repassing the dwelling before he could gather courage to enter.  The young girl would have smiled, could she have seen her former suitor, once so complacent and condescending.  She certainly could not complain of lack of humility now.

At last he perceived that two other callers had passed in, and he followed them, feeling that their presence would enable both him and the object of his thoughts to take refuge in conventionalities.

He was right in this view, for with a scarcely perceptible increase of color, and a polite bow, Marian received him as she would any other mere calling acquaintance, introduced him to the two gentlemen present, and conversation at once became general.  Merwyn did not remain long under constraint.  Even Marian had to admit to herself that he acquitted himself well and promised better for the future.  When topics relating to the war were broached, he not only talked as loyally as the others, but also proved himself well informed.  Mrs. Vosburgh soon appeared and greeted him cordially, for the lady was ready enough to entertain the hopes which his presence again inspired.  He felt that his first call, to be in good taste, should be rather brief, and he took his departure before the others, Marian bowing with the same distant politeness that had characterized her greeting.  She made it evident that she had granted just what he had asked and nothing more.  Whether he could ever inspire anything like friendliness the future only would reveal.  He had serious doubts, knowing that he suffered in contrast with even the guests of the present evening.  One was an officer home on sick-leave; the other exempted from military duty by reason of lameness, which did not extend to his wit and conversational powers.  Merwyn also knew that he would ever be compared with those near friends now in Virginia.

What did he hope?  What could he hope?  He scarcely knew, and would not even entertain the questions.  He was only too glad that the door was not closed to him, and, with the innate hopefulness of youth, he would leave the future to reveal its possibilities.  He was so thoroughly his father’s son that he would not be disheartened, and so thoroughly himself that the course he preferred would be the one followed, so far as was now possible.

“Well?” said Mr. Vosburgh, when Marian came to the library to kiss him good-night.

“What a big, long question that little word contains!” she cried, laughing, and there was a little exhilaration in her manner which did not escape him.

“You may tell me much, little, or nothing.”

“I will tell you nothing, then, for there is nothing to tell.  I received and parted with Mr. Merwyn on his terms, and those you know all about.  Mamma was quite gracious, and my guests were polite to him.”