“After your hard experience, are you fully determined to go back?” she asked, with a brilliant smile.  “Surely you have proved your courage, and, with your impaired health, you have a good reason not for leaving the task to stronger men.”

“And take my place contentedly among the weaker ones in your estimation?” he added, flushing.  “How could you suggest or think such a thing?  Certainly I shall go back as soon as my physician permits, and I shall go to stay till the end, unless I am knocked over or disabled.”

Her eyes flashed exultantly as she came swiftly to him.  “Now you can understand me,” she said, giving him her hand.  “My friendship and honor are for men like you and Mr. Lane and Mr. Blauvelt, who offer all, and not for those who offer—­money.”

“By Jove, Miss Marian, you make me feel as if I could storm Richmond single-handed.”

“Don’t think I say this in any callous disregard of what may happen.  God knows I do not; but in times like these my heart chooses friends among knightly men who voluntarily go to meet other men as brave.  Don’t let us talk any more about Mr. Merwyn.  I shall always treat him politely, and I have gratefully acknowledged my indebtedness for his care of you.  He understands me, and will give me no opportunity to do as you suggested, were I so inclined.  His conversation is that of a cultivated man, and as such I enjoy it; but there it all ends.”

“But I don’t feel that I have helped my friend in your good graces at all,” protested Strahan, ruefully.

“Has he commissioned you to help him?” she asked, quickly.

“No, no, indeed.  You don’t know Merwyn, or you never would have asked that question.”

“Well, I prefer as friends those whom I do know, who are not inshrouded in mystery or incased in reticence.  No, Arthur Strahan, my friendship is mine to give, be it worth much or little.  If he does not care enough for it to take the necessary risks, when the bare thought of shunning them makes you flush hotly, he cannot have it.  All his wealth could not buy one smile from me.  Now let all this end.  I respect your loyalty to him, but I have my own standard, and shall abide by it;” and she introduced another topic.

CHAPTER XXIV.

A father’s forethought.

Strahan improved rapidly in health, and was soon able to divide his time between his city and his country home.  The recruiting station near the latter place was successful in securing stalwart men, who were tempted by the unusually large bounties offered through Merwyn’s gift.  The young officer lost no opportunities of visiting Marian’s drawing-room, and, while his welcome continued as cordial as ever, she, nevertheless, indicated by a frank and almost sisterly manner the true state of her feelings toward him.  The impulse arising at the critical hour of his illness speedily died away.  His renewed society confirmed friendship, but awakened nothing more, and quieter thoughts convinced her that the future must reveal what her relations should be to him and to others.