?" he said coldly. She smiled at him merrily.

"Bidding me good-by. He was made prisoner, of course, by the first
soldier we came across after we landed, and has been spending the days
of his captivity with us. He was exchanged to-day, and leaves
to-night."

"Katharine, he was in love with you!" he said, with what seemed to him
marvellous perspicacity.

"Yes, John," she answered, still smiling.

"Was he making love to you here?"

"Yes."

"And you? You praise this man, you like him, you--"

"I think him the bravest man, the truest gentleman in the world--except
this one," she said, laying her hand upon his shoulder and her head
upon his breast. "No, no; he pleaded in vain. I only pitied him; I
loved you. Do not be jealous, foolish boy. No one should have me. I
am yours alone."

"But if I had not come back, Kate,--how then?"

"It would have made no difference. I told him so."

Neither of them in their mutual absorption had noticed that a horse had
stopped in the road opposite the boat-house, and a horseman had walked
to the door and had halted at the sight which met his eyes. Desborough
recognized Seymour at once, and he had unwittingly heard the end of the
conversation. He was the second. The man was back again. It was
true. The gallant gentleman stood still a moment, making no sound,
then turned back and mounted his horse, and rode madly away with
despair in his heart.

"Oh, Katharine," Seymour said at last, "do you know that I am a poor
man now? Lame! See, I can no longer walk straight." He stood up.
"Poor surgery after the battle did that."

"The more reason that in the future you should not go alone," she said
softly, standing by his side.

"And with but one arm," he continued.

"No, three," she said again, "for here are two."

"Besides, my trading ships have been captured by the enemy, my private
fortune has been spent for the cause. I am a poor man in every sense."

"Nay, John, you are a rich man," she said gayly.

"Oh, yes, rich in your love, Katharine."

"Yes, that of course, if that be riches, and richer in honor too; but
that's not all."

"What else pray, dearest?"

"Did you know that Madam Talbot had died?" she answered, with apparent
irrelevance.

"No, but I am not surprised at it. After her son's death I expected
it, poor lady. He loved you too, Kate. We fought about you once," he
said; and then he told her briefly of Talbot's end, his burial, the
interview