“Oh, of course.  He wouldn’t be Strahan if he hadn’t.  He has a high appreciation of a ‘little brief authority,’ especially if vested in himself.  Believing himself to be so heroic he is inclined to call others to account.”

“I trust you have rated such vaporings at their worth.”

“I have not rated them at all.  What do I care for little Strahan or his opinions?  Nil.”

“Shall you see much of him while we are compelled to remain in this detestable land?”

“More of him than of any one else, probably.  We were boys together, and he amuses me.  What is more to the point, if I make a Union officer my associate I disarm hostile criticism and throw an additional safeguard around my property.  There is no telling to what desperate straits the Northern authorities may be reduced, and I don’t propose to give them any grounds for confiscation.”

“You are remarkably prudent, Willard, for a young man of Southern descent.”

“I am of Northern descent also,” he replied, with a light laugh.  “Father was as strong a Northern man—­so I imagine—­as you are a Southern woman, and so, by a natural law, I am neutral, brought to a standstill by two equal and opposite forces.”

The intense partisan looked at him with perplexity, and for a moment felt a strange and almost superstitious belief in his words.  Was there a reciprocal relation of forces which would render her schemes futile?  She shared in the secret hopes and ambitions of the Southern leaders.  Had Northern and Southern blood so neutralized the heart of this youth that he was indifferent to both sections? and had she, by long residence abroad, and indulgence, made him so cosmopolitan that he merely looked upon the world as “his oyster”?  She was not the first parent who, having failed to instil noble, natural principles in childhood, is surprised and troubled at the outcome of a mind developing under influences unknown or unheeded.  That the South would be triumphant she never doubted a moment.  It would not merely achieve independence, but also a power that would grow like the vegetation of its genial climate, and extend until the tapering Isthmus of Panama became the national boundary of the empire.  But what part would be taken by this strange son who seemed equally endowed with graceful indolence and indomitable will?  Were his tireless strength and energy to accomplish nothing better than the climbing of distant mountains? and would he maintain indifference towards a struggle for a dominion beyond Oriental dreams?  Physically and mentally he seemed capable of doing what he chose; practically he chose to do what he pleased from hour to hour.  Amusing himself with a languid, good-natured disregard of what he looked upon as trivial affairs, he was like adamant the moment a supreme and just advantage was his.  He was her husband over agaim, with strange differences.  What could she do at the present moment but the thing she proposed to do?