chester had learned from her that
since her arrested wedding Elizabeth had always been associated in her
mind with Stephen. She was so in his own also, for this reason, and
another. The young man sat down again. It was not consistent with his
feelings, nor his knowledge of affairs, and, still less, with his
character to perceive that Katie's conscience troubled her a little.

Elizabeth had always found likable things in Lord Bulchester: and
although she had been indignant at his taking advantage of the position
of affairs to try to win Katie, she had owned to herself that he was not
responsible for such position, and ought not to have been expected to
feel about as she did. And now that Katie and Stephen Archdale were once
more united, Elizabeth felt a deep pity for Bulchester, and believed
that he was behaving well in being manly enough to have won Katie's
respect and friendship. No shadow of doubt of her friend's loyalty to
Stephen crossed her mind. And nothing gave her warning that out of this
morning visit in which there would be said and done no single thing that
would seem at the time of any consequence, would come results that would
influence her life.

The conversation, after ranging about a little turned upon the quiet
that had settled down upon the city, now that the excitement of fitting
out the expedition was over. Elizabeth said that it seemed to her the
hush of anxiety and expectation, for it was felt that the fate of the
country hung upon the issue. Whether New England were still English in
government or became French provinces depended more upon the fate of
Louisburg than anybody liked to confess.

"I don't believe there's any danger of our being French provinces," said
Katie.

"I ought to have put it that we fight the battle there or in our own
home," said Elizabeth. Then as they went on to speak of the soldiers,
she said suddenly to Bulchester: "What does your lordship do without
Mr. Edmonson?" The latter shifted his foot on the floor uneasily.

"I suppose you think that I ought to have gone too," he said half in
apology, "but--," He looked at Katie and his face brightened: she was
not a woman to blame him because his love for her had kept him at home.
He did not linger upon the other part of the truth, that he was not fond
of war in any event. "I have helped in my small way," he said. "Don't
believe me quite without patriotism." Elizabeth looked surprised.

"I did not mean that at all," she answ