he left the room for a moment she said abruptly:

"Sir, you will make no repairs, and you will take no steps toward
procuring a tenant for our property in the city. I will not allow it."

"And why may I not do it as well as any other person?" said Captain
Newell.

"You are not 'any other person,' and you know it," said Gardis, with
flushed cheeks. "I do not choose to receive a favor from your hands."

"It is a mere business transaction, Miss Duke."

"It is not. You know you intend to make the repairs yourself," cried the
girl passionately.

"And if I do so intend? It will only be advancing the money, and you can
pay me interest if you like. The city will certainly regain her old
position in time; my venture is a sure one. But I _wish_ to assist you,
Miss Duke; I do not deny it."

"And I--will not allow it!"

"What will you do, then?"

"God knows," said Gardis. "But I would rather starve than accept
assistance from you." Her eyes were full of tears as she spoke, but she
held her head proudly erect.

"And from Saxton? He has gone North, but he would be so proud to help
you."

"From him least of all."

"Because of his love for you?"

Gardis was silent.

"Miss Duke, let me ask you one question. If you had loved Roger Saxton,
would you have married him?"

"Never!"

"You would have sacrificed your whole life, then, for the sake of--"

"My country, sir."

"We have a common country, Gardis," answered the young man gravely.
Then, as he rose, "Child," he said, "I shall not relinquish the charge
of your property, given into my hands by Mr. Copeland Gardiston, and,
for your own sake, I beg you to be more patient, more gentle, as becomes
a woman. A few weeks will no doubt see you released from even your
slight obligation to me: you will have but a short time to wait."

Poor Gardis! Her proud scorn went for nothing, then? She was overridden
as though she had been a child, and even rebuked for want of gentleness.
The drawing-room was cheerless and damp in the rainy twilight; the girl
wore a faded lawn dress, and her cheeks were pale; the old house was
chilly through and through, and even the soldier, strong as he was, felt
himself shivering. At this instant enter Cousin Copeland. "Of course you
will spend the night here," he said heartily. "It is raining, and I must
insist upon your staying over until to-morrow--must really insist."

Gardis looked up quickly; her dismayed face said plainly, "Oh no, no."
Ther