Virginia. I didn't look at it three times
a day, I never studied it, and I'm sure I never kissed it. No wonder
Allan wants to get away, when he finds what an absurd girl you make me
out to be. You think I'm a fool, don't you, Allan?"

"I do not, by any means. I'm sure, if I had your picture, I shouldn't
have been ashamed to look at it three times a day," replied Somers,
gallantly coming to the rescue of the maiden. "But, really, my Virginia
patriarch," he added, using an expression which he had found in the
correspondence in his pocket, "I must tear myself away."

"You seem to be glad enough to go," pouted Sue.

"Sorry to go, but compelled by the duty I owe my country to leave you."

"When will you come again?"

"Of course, that question I cannot answer. I may never see you again.
This is a terrible war, and we cannot tell what a day may bring forth,"
replied Somers solemnly; and the thought was all the more solemn when he
thought of the cold corpse of the son and brother concealed in the mire
of the swamp.

He had seen the old man laugh as none but a happy man can; and he could
not help feeling what a terrible revulsion a few words from him might
cause. He had watched the playful manner of Sue, and had joined in the
gay raillery of the moment. A word from him would crush her spirit, and
bow that loving mother to the ground. The scene had not been one of his
own choosing; and he would gladly escape the necessity of dissembling
before those affectionate hearts.

"We are on the eve of a terrible battle," added the old man very gravely.
"Hundreds of our poor boys went down yesterday, never to rise again. We
tremble when we think of you in the field. I may never see my son again;
for the issue of the war may depend on the battles of the next few days."

"What do you mean?"

Mr. Raynes seemed to know more than he had dared to speak; and Somers was
full of interest.

"The Yankees, who expect to go into Richmond, will be driven down the
Peninsula, where they came up, like flying sheep, within a week. I have
heard a few words, which satisfies me that great events are coming."

Though it was not supposable that the people in the vicinity of Richmond
knew the plans of General Lee, from what he had seen, and from what he
had heard from men in power, he had formed a very correct idea of the
intended operations of the rebel chief; and he stated his views very
clearly to Somers. While he was listening to the old man's th