ness in the difference. But for
all this vivid memory of those hours, it was imagination rather than
recollection that occupied him most with her when she had left him. For
he was picturing how she would look, and what she would say, when she
read the letter that he had slipped into her hand as she was going away.
He recalled her look of amazement, her beginning:--"Why, it's--" and
then breaking off abruptly, perceiving that only peculiar circumstances
could have made him give her Katie's letter to read, and perhaps
divining the truth. For she had suddenly became very grave and had
replied absently to his good-night, as on her father's she had turned
from the hospital. The young man, wondering how she would receive the
news of Katie's treachery, asked himself what she could find now in
excuse for the girl who had used her faithful friend as the unconscious
messenger of her broken plight? Stephen knew well enough that the old
glamour would come back, but to-night he was full only of indignation
against Katie. To have used Elizabeth as she had done was an added sin.

"I wish Bulchester joy of her," he muttered, then with a sharp breath
recollected that this was only a respite, that he should not always feel
too scornful for pain.

Three nights after this there was a silent and solemn procession down to
the shore. Island Battery was to be attacked. Here was Archdale's
forlorn hope ready for him, if he wanted it now. Every chance of success
depended upon secrecy. The venture was so desperate that the General
could not make up his mind to pick out the men himself, he called for
volunteers. They came forward readily, incited, not only by courage and
the desire to end the siege, but by ambition to be distinguished among
their comrades who stood about them in hushed expectation. Every soldier
off duty and able to crawl to the shore, and some who should not have
attempted it were there. Among this crowd stood two women, scarcely
apart from the others, and yet everywhere that they moved, given place
to with the unobtrusive courtesy that has always marked American men, so
that one woman in a host of them feels herself, should danger come, in
an army of protectors, and otherwise alone. Elizabeth had meant to be
here earlier, and to put herself by the General's side, for her father
had gone with dispatches to the fleet, but her duties had detained her,
and now she was separated from him by nearly a regiment. She stood
silent in an