"Well, so I would, but she is so very particular, that on the
slightest suspicion she would take the alarm and communicate to her
husband the fact of my having renewed my acquaintance with her, which
would, perhaps, bring him home on furlough."

"Nonsense," replied his friend, "the secessionists need every man to
assist them in driving back McDowell, and there is no chance of any
furloughs being granted; besides which, we are on the eve of a great
battle, and for any of the men to ask for a furlough would lay him
open to the charge of cowardice."

"That may be all true," said Horace, "but I shall not venture on
anything more as yet. As far as I have gone, she believes me actuated
by no other motives than the remembrance of my former affection for
her, and, with that belief, places implicit trust in me."

The conversation was here interrupted by the appearance of two
waiters, one carrying a waiter filled with different descriptions of
food, and the other a small basket containing six bottles of
champagne. After setting them on a table, Horace inquired what the
charges were.

"Twelve dollars, sah," was the reply.

Horace took out his pocket book, and throwing the man a twenty dollar
gold piece, told him to pay for the breakfast and champagne, and
purchase cigars with the remainder.

The negroes having left, Horace Awtry and his friend proceeded to
discuss their breakfast and champagne. After eating for a few minutes
in silence, Horace suddenly said:

"Charlie, what do you think of this war?"

"My opinion is, that the South has got in a pretty bad dilemma,"
replied that gentleman.

"That is identically my impression, but for heaven's sake do not let
any one hear you say so. The people are half crazed with excitement,
and the slightest word in favor of the North may lay you at the mercy
of an infuriated mob."

"What do you intend doing, now the ports are blockaded, and no one can
leave the country?" asked his friend.

"Why, remain here and pretend all the friendship possible for the
South. Maybe I will get a contract or two, which will further the
design of covering my opinions on this contest."

"Such was my idea, but I am afraid that the secesh government will
issue their cotton bonds until all the gold is driven from the States,
and then we will have nothing but their worthless paper money,"
replied Bell.

"I have thought of that, and made up my mind to convert all the
property I have here into gold