slowly
spreading out from under the bed, banking itself against the dust into
miniature gulfs and seas. The hand that held hers relaxed, and looking
around she saw his eyes closed as if in peaceful sleep.

Dr. Denslow entered while she still gazed on the dead face, and said:

"I am so sorry I left you alone. I did not expect this for some hours."

"How petty and selfish all my life has been," said Rachel, dejectedly,
as they left the room.

"Not a particle more than his was, probably," said Dr. Denslow, "until
his opportunity came. It is opportunity that makes the hero, as well as
the less reputable personage, and I have no doubt that when yours comes,
you will redeem yourself from all blame of selfishness and pettiness."

Chapter XVI. The Ambuscade.

This heavy-headed revel, east and west,
Makes us traduced and taxed of other nations;
They clepe us drunkards, and with swinish frase
Soul our addition: and indeed it takes
From our achievements, though performed at hight,
The pith and marrow of our attribute.--Hamlet.

The day spent with Aunt Debby had been of the greatest benefit to Harry
Glen. Since his parting with Rachel Bond, there had been going on in his
spirit a fermentation like that with which good wine discharges itself
of its grossness and impurities, and becomes clear and fine. In this
process had vanished the absorbing selfishness of a much-indulged only
son, and teh supercilious egotism which came as an almost necessary
result of his college curriculum. This spiritual ripening received its
perfecting color and bloom from the serene exaltation of Aunt Debby's
soul. So filled was she with lofty devotion to the cause, so complete
her faith in its holiness, and so unquestioning her belief that it was
every one's simple duty to brave all dangers for it, and die if need be
without a murmur, that contact with her would have inspired with
pure patriotic ardor a nature much less ready for such leavening than
Harry's.

As Dr. Denslow had surmised, his faults were mainly superficial, and
underneath them was a firm gristle of manhood, which would speedily
harden into bone. With the experience he had been having, days would
mature this as rapidly as ordinary years. He was himself hardly aware
of the transformation, but only felt, as his physical exhaustion
disappeared, a new eagerness to participate in the great work of the
war. He was gratified to know a little later