her mind before he joined her was
the terrible power of that base Camille over her sister. She despaired
of curing Josephine, but a husband might. There's such divinity doth
hedge a husband in innocent girls' minds.

"Well, little lady," began Raynal, "and how are you, and how is my
mother-in-law that is to be--or is not to be, as your sister pleases;
and how is SHE? have I frightened her away? There were two petticoats,
and now there is but one."

"She left me to answer you."

"All the worse for me: I am not to your taste."

"Do not say that," said Rose, almost hysterically.

"Oh! it is no sacrilege. Not one in fifty likes me."

"But I do like you, sir."

"Then why won't you let me have your sister?"

"I have not quite decided that you shall not have her," faltered poor
Rose. She murmured on, "I dare say you think me very unkind, very
selfish; but put yourself in my place. I love my sister as no man can
ever love her, I know: my heart has been one flesh and one soul with
hers all my life. A stranger comes and takes her away from me as if she
was I don't know what; his portmanteau; takes her to Egypt, oh! oh! oh!"

Raynal comforted her.

"What, do you think I am such a brute as to take that delicate creature
about fighting with me? why, the hot sand would choke her, to begin.
No. You don't take my manoeuvre. I have no family; I try for a wife that
will throw me in a mother and sister. You will live all together the
same as before, of course; only you must let me make one of you when I
am at home. And how often will that be? Besides, I am as likely to
be knocked on the head in Egypt as not; you are worrying yourself for
nothing, little lady."

He uttered the last topic of consolation in a broad, hearty, hilarious
tone, like a trombone impregnated with cheerful views of fate.

"Heaven forbid!" cried Rose: "and I will, for even I shall pray for you
now. What you will leave her at home? forgive me for not seeing all your
worth: of course I knew you were an angel, but I had no idea you were a
duck. You are just the man for my sister. She likes to obey: you are all
for commanding. So you see. Then she never thinks of herself; any other
man but you would impose on her good-nature; but you are too generous
to do that. So you see. Then she esteems you so highly. And one whom I
esteem (between you and me) has chosen you for her."

"Then say yes, and have done with it," suggested the straightforward
soldier.

"Wh