In vain she protested that the property was well managed, that the income was received regularly, that he could have this, and that it would be intensely disagreeable for her to visit New York.  He, who had yielded indifferently to all her little exactions, was inexorable, and the proud, self-willed woman found that he had so much law and reason on his side that she was compelled to submit.

Indeed, she at last felt that she had been unduly governed by her prejudices, and that it might be wise to go and see for themselves that their affairs were managed to the best advantage.  Deep in her heart was also the consciousness that it was her husband’s indomitable will that she was carrying out, and that she could never escape from that will in any exigency where it could justly make itself felt.  She therefore required of her son the promise that their visit should be as unobtrusive as possible, and that he would return with her as soon as he had arranged matters to his mind.  To this he had readily agreed, and they were now in the land for which the mother had only hate and the son indifference.

CHAPTER XI.

An oath and A glance.

As Strahan disappeared in the winding of the avenue a sudden and terrible thought occurred to Mrs. Merwyn.  She glanced at her son, who had walked to the farther end of the piazza, and stood for a moment with his back towards her.  His manly proportions made her realize, as she had never done before, that he had attained his majority,—­that he was his own master.  He had said he would not fight against the North, but, as far as the South was concerned, he had never committed himself.  And then his terrible will!

She went to her room and thought.  He was in a land seething with excitement and patriotic fervor.  She knew not what influences a day might bring to bear upon him.  Above all else she feared taunts for lack of courage.  She knew that her own passionate pride slept in his breast and on a few occasions she had seen its manifestations.  As a rule he was too healthful, too well organized and indolent, to be easily irritated, while in serious matters he had not been crossed.  She knew enough of life to be aware that his manhood had never been awakened or even deeply moved, and she was eager indeed to accomplish their mission in the States and return to conditions of life not so electrical.

In the mean time she felt that she must use every precaution.  She summoned a maid and asked that her son should be sent to her.

The young man soon lounged in, and threw himself into an easy chair.

His mother looked at him fixedly for a moment, and then asked, “Why is young Strahan in that uniform?”

“I didn’t ask him,” was the careless reply.  “Obviously, however, because he has entered the service in some capacity.”

“Did he not suggest that it would be a very proper thing for you to do, also?”