r. Gasping for breath, she struggled with the grim
horror that was growing up about him. His awful solitude came to her as
a reproach; she should have remained with him to the end! Was there yet
time to go back, or would she be too late? When? When? And she asked
herself the question she had not dared to ask of her father.

The day showed her the distant roofs of Mount Hope; the day showed her
the square brick tower of the court-house--living or dead, John North
was in its very shadow. She crouched by the window, her arms resting on
the ledge and her eyes fixed on the distant tower. How had the night
passed for him--had he slept? And the pity of those lonely hours brought
the tears to her burning eyes. She heard her father come slowly down the
hall; he paused before her door.

"Elizabeth--dear!" his voice was very gentle.

"Yes, father?"

But she did not change her position at the window.

"Won't you come down-stairs, dear?" he said.

"I can not--" and then she felt the selfishness of her refusal, and
added: "I will be down in a moment, I--I have not quite finished
dressing--yet!"

John North had thought always of others. In the moment of his supremest
agony, he had spoken not at all of himself; by word or look he had added
nothing to the sorrow that was crushing her. This had been genuine
courage.

"I must remember it always!" she told herself, as she turned away from
the window. "I must not be selfish--he would not understand it--"

Her father was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs, and the glance
he bent on her was keen with anxiety. Perfect understanding existed
between them no less now than formerly, but the anguish which had left
its impress on that white face removed her beyond any attempted
expression of sympathy from him.

At the end of the hail the open door gave a wide vista of well-kept
lawns. Elizabeth turned swiftly to this doorway. Her father kept his
place at her side, and together they passed from the house out into the
warm day. Suddenly the girl paused, and her eager gaze was directed
toward Mount Hope--toward _him_.

"Would it be too late to go to him now?" she asked in a feverish
whisper.

A spasm of pain contracted the old general's haggard face, but the
question found him mute.

"Would it be too late?" she repeated.

"He would not desire it, Elizabeth," replied her father.

"But would it be too late?" and she rested a shaking hand on his arm.

"You must not ask me that-