“If he knew how far this is from the truth now!” she thought, with a smile.

Then the query presented itself:  “How far is it from the truth?  Why am I thinking more of him than of the riot, our danger, yes, even my father?”

In the light of that lurid day much had been revealed to her, and before her revery ceased she understood her long months of irritation and anger at Merwyn’s course; she saw why she had not dismissed him from her thoughts with contemptuous indifference and why she had ingeniously wrought the MacIan theory of constitutional timidity.  When had she given so much thought to a man whom she had disliked?  Even in her disapproval of him, even when her soldier friends appeared at their best and she was contrasting him with them to his fatal disadvantage as she believed, thoughts of him would pursue her constantly.  Now that he had shown himself the peer of each and all in manhood and courage, it seemed as if feelings, long held in check, were released and were sweeping irresistibly towards one conclusion.  Merwyn was more to her than any other man in the world.  He had fulfilled her ideal, and was all the more attractive because he was capable of such deep, strong passion, and yet could be so resolute and cool.

“But how can I ever undeceive him?” was her most perplexing thought.  “I cannot make advances.  Well, well, the future must disentangle itself.”

Now that she was beginning to understand herself, every instinct of her being led towards reserve.  In a misunderstanding with her soldier friends she could easily and frankly effect a reconciliation, but she must be dumb with Merwyn, and distant in manner, to the degree that she was self-conscious.

Suddenly she became aware that it was growing late, and that her father had not returned, and for the next hour she suffered terribly from anxiety, as did many women in those days of strange vicissitudes.

At last, a little before midnight, he came, looking stern and anxious.  “I will soon explain,” he said to her.  “Take this woman to her room.”  Then, to his aroused and sleepy agents:  “You have had some rest and respite.  Go to the nearest hotel and take a little more, but be up with the dawn and do your best, for to-morrow promises to be worse than to-day.”

With a few further instructions he dismissed them.

Upon reaching the library he said to his daughter:  “I’ve been at a conference in which the police, military, and state authorities took part, and things look gloomy.  I have also sent further despatches.  My dear child, I wish you were with your mother, but I’m too weary to think any more to-night.”

“Papa, the question of my remaining has been settled.  Now rest.  Mr. Merwyn came and brought good news.”

“Yes, I know all about it.  Why did he not stay?”

“He naturally wished to return and look after his own home.”

“True enough.  I hope he found it unharmed.  He has proved himself a grand, brave fellow to-day, and I only wish it was my privilege to fight at his side.  It would be far easier than to carry my burden.”