“I haven’t had any, Miss Marian.  What I said about Virginia was mere bluff,—­merely made an excursion or two on the Virginia side of the Potomac, out of curiosity.”

“But what does this uniform mean?”

“Merely what it suggests.  I went to Washington, which is a great camp, you know.  Through relatives I had some influence there, and at last obtained a commission at the bottom of the ladder in a new regiment that is to be recruited.  Meanwhile I was put through the manual of arms, with a lot of other awkward fellows, by a drill officer.  I kept shady and told my people to be mum until something came out of it all.  Come, fellows, thirteen dollars a month, hard tack, and glory!  Don’t all speak at once!”

“I’m with you as far as going is concerned,” said Lane, shaking Strahan’s hand warmly, “only I’ve decided on the cavalry.”

“Were I a man, you should have one recruit for your regiment to-night,” said Marian.  “You have gone to work in a way that inspires confidence.”

“I foresee, fellows, that we shall all have to go, or else Miss Marian will cross us out of her books,” remarked one of the young men.

“No, indeed,” she replied.  “I would not dare urge any one to go.  But those who, like Mr. Lane and Mr. Strahan, decide the question for themselves, cannot fail to carry my admiration with them.”

“That’s the loudest bugle call I expect to hear,” remarked Mr. Blauvelt, who entered at that moment.

“Here’s the place to open your recruiting-office,” added another, laughing.  “If Miss Marian would be free with her colors, she could raise a brigade.”

“I can assure you beforehand that I shall not be free with them; much less will I hold them out as an inducement.  Slight as may be their value, they must be earned.”

“What chivalrous deed has Strahan performed?” was asked, in chorus.

“One that I appreciate, and I don’t give my faith lightly,”

“Mr. Strahan, I congratulate you,” said Lane, with a swift and somewhat reproachful glance at Marian; “you have already achieved your best laurels.”

“I’ve received them, but not earned them yet.  Miss Marian gives a fellow a good send-off, however, and time will tell the story with us all.  I must now bid you good-evening,” he said to the young girl.  “I merely stopped for a few moments on my way from the train.”

She followed him to the door, and said, sotto voce:  “You held your own splendidly.  Your first report is more than satisfactory;” and he departed happier than any major-general in the service.

When the rest had gone, Lane, who had persistently lingered, began:  “No doubt it will appear absurd to you that a friend should be jealous.  But Strahan seems to have won the chief honors.”