"Thank you, sir. I have called to express my obligations to you for all
your kindness to me and to my friend. Major de Banyan wished to be kindly
remembered to you."

"I am happy to hear from the major; and as for the rest, I feel that I
have not yet begun to discharge my obligation to you. Why didn't you
write to me before?"

"I did not wish to burden you with any remembrance of such a humble
individual as myself."

"You are too modest by half, Captain Somers. I should not have known
anything about you if it hadn't been for General---- Well, no matter
who," laughed the Senator.

"Now, papa, you have cut short the most interesting story that ever was
told!" interposed Emma.

"The captain must begin again, then. Of course, you will make my house
your home while in the city."

"Thank you, sir. I left my servant at the hotel"

Senator Guilford insisted on sending for the servant and the baggage;
and, in half an hour, Alick was present to confirm the wonderful tale
which Somers told of his captivity in Petersburg, to which Emma and her
father listened with the most intense interest.

Very much to his surprise, Captain Somers found himself quite a lion in
Washington. He was introduced to Senators and Representatives; and on the
following evening actually took the President of the United States by the
hand, just as though he had been one of the patriarchs of Pinchbrook.

In spite of all these brilliant surroundings, Somers was anxious to get
home. He was too feeble to endure the excitement of the capital; and on
the third day after his arrival, he started for home. When he reached
Boston, by an unfortunate chance it was two hours before a train would
start for Pinchbrook. As he had spent two days with a Senator in
Washington, and shaken hands with the President, he deemed himself
qualified to call at No. -- Rutland Street, where the carriage soon set
him down.

Lilian Ashford was at home; and Captain Somers, who had faced a whole
rebel brigade, trembled and blushed in the presence of the maiden like
the veriest coward in the world. But it was some satisfaction to know
that the other party was similarly affected. The young hero could not
exactly explain how he felt. It was a different sensation from that which
had come over him in the presence of Emma Guilford. He experienced a
feeling of awe before her, but he could talk as fast as ever; while to
Lilian he stammered, couldn't remember anything, and made woful conf