“Indeed, I have never asked him to take part in the war.”

“No need of your asking any one in set terms.  A man would have to be either a coward, or else a rebel at heart, like Merwyn, to resist your influence.  Indeed, I think it is all the stronger because you do not use it openly and carelessly.  Every one who comes here knows that your heart is in the cause, and that you would have been almost a veteran by this time were you of our sex.  Others, besides Blauvelt, obtained the impulse in your presence which decided them.  Indeed, your drawing-room has been greatly thinned, and it almost looks as if few would be left to haunt it except Merwyn.”

“I do not think he will haunt it much longer, and I should prefer solitude to his society.”

“Well,” laughed Strahan, “I think you will have a chance to put one rebel to rout before I do.  I don’t blame you, remembering your feeling, but Merwyn probably saved my life, and I gave him my hand in a final truce.  Friends we cannot be while he maintains his present cold reserve.  As you told me, he said he would have done as much for any one, and his manner since has chilled any grateful regard on my part.  Yet I am under deep obligations, and hereafter will never do or say anything to his injury.”

“Don’t trouble yourself about Mr. Merwyn, Arthur.  I have my own personal score to settle with him.  He has made a good foil for you and my other friends, and I have learned to appreciate you the more.  You have won my entire esteem and respect, and have taught me how quickly a noble, self-sacrificing purpose can develop manhood.  O Arthur, Heaven grant that we may all meet again!  How proud I shall then be of my veteran friends! and of you most of all.  You are triumphing over yourself, and you have won the respect of every one in this community.”

“If I ever become anything, or do anything, just enter half the credit in your little note-book,” he said, flushing with pleasure.

“I shall not need a note-book to keep in mind anything that relates to you.  Your courage has made me a braver, truer girl.  Arthur, please, you won’t get reckless in camp?  I want to think of you always as I think of you now.  When time hangs heavy on your hands, would it give you any satisfaction to write to me?”

“Indeed it will,” cried the young officer.  “Let me make a suggestion.  I will keep a rough journal of what occurs and of the scenes we pass through, and Blauvelt will illustrate it.  How should you like that?  It will do us both good, and will be the next best thing to running in of an evening as we have done here.”

Marian was more than pleased with the idea.  When at last Strahan said farewell, he went away with every manly impulse strengthened, and his heart warmed by the evidences of her genuine regard.

In the afternoon Blauvelt called, and, with Marian and her mother, drove to the station to take part in an ovation to Captain Strahan and his company.  The artist had affairs to arrange in the city before enlisting, and proposed to enter the service at Washington.