"Why is it a funny question?" asked the anxious father, recalling the
rather presumptuous suggestion the gallant major from Fort Gaines had
made.

"Don't you think I want to see mamma? You have not told me a word about
her; and it is a long time now since I have heard any thing. I do want
to go home, and especially I want to see mamma."

"Then you shall see her."

"Is she here, papa?" exclaimed Florry, leaping out of the chair in which
she had seated herself.

"She is not here, my child. She is at home, but it will not take many
days to bear you to her," replied the devoted father, embracing her
again, while she kissed him over and over again.

"Can I see her before the war is over, papa?" she asked.

"Certainly you can, if no accident interferes with my plans. You really
want to go home?"

"To be sure I do. How cruel it is of you to ask me such a question!"

"Then I won't ask it again. But perhaps you will not be able to come to
Glenfield again for years," added Captain Passford, looking earnestly
into her face.

"What makes you look at me so, papa? What have I done? You look just as
you did when I was little and pulled the kitten's tail."

"It is a long time since I have seen you, Florry and I want to look at
you all I can."

[Illustration: "She was Clasped in her Father's Arms" (Page 148)]

"Then you may look at me as much as you wish; and I shall be thankful it
is not that Major Pierson who comes here, for he has stared me out of
countenance every time he came," replied she, blushing a little.

"Then you don't like him, do you?" asked her father, with more interest
than he cared to display.

"I like him well enough, but I wish he would not stare at me all the
time. He seems to think I am good for nothing but to look at," replied
Florry smartly.

But the entrance of Mr. and Mrs. Passford turned aside the inquiries
the captain was making before he had satisfied himself, though he had
obtained enough to afford him some hope. The greeting extended to the
brother and nephew was all that could be expected or desired; and if
the country had not been riven into two bitterly hostile sections, the
interview could not have been more brotherly and affectionate. A full
hour was used in talking about the trip of the Bellevite, so anxious
were the family, including Florry, to hear the particulars of the
voyage.

"But how in the world did you get here, Horatio, when every public
conveyance that leads into t