hapes. Some one said that the battle with Shields may be
fought to-morrow. I have to look at the stars." She lifted herself. "We
finished 'Villette,' didn't we?--Oh, yes! I didn't like the ending.
Well, let us begin 'Mansfield Park'--Molly, have you seen my knitting?"

Having with his fellows of the escort from Port Republic seen the earth
heaped over the dead cavalry leader, Maury Stafford lay that night in
Charlottesville at an old friend's house. He slept little; the friend
heard him walking up and down in the night. By nine in the morning he
was at the University. "Miss Cary? She'll be here in about half an hour.
If you'll wait--"

"I'll wait," said Stafford. He sat down beneath an elm and, with his
eyes upon the road by which must approach the Greenwood carriage, waited
the half-hour. It passed; the carriage drew up and Judith stepped from
it. Her eyes rested upon him with a quiet friendliness. He had been her
suitor; but he was so no longer. Months ago he had his answer. All the
agitation, the strong, controlling interest of his world must, perforce,
have made him forget. She touched his hand. "I saw you yesterday
afternoon. I did not know if you had ridden back--"

"No. I shall be kept here until to-morrow. Will you be Sister of Mercy
all day?"

"I go home to-day about four o'clock."

"If I ride over at five may I see you?"

"Yes, if you wish. I must go now--I am late. Is it true that we won the
battle yesterday? Tell me--"

"We do not know the details yet. It seems that only Ewell's division was
engaged. Trimble's brigade suffered heavily, but it was largely an
artillery battle. I saw a copy of General Jackson's characteristic
telegram to Richmond. 'God gave us the victory to-day at Cross
Keys.'--Fremont has drawn off to Harrisonburg. There is a rumour of a
battle to-day with Shields."

He thought that afternoon, as he passed through the road gates and into
the drive between the oaks, that he had never seen the Greenwood place
look so fair. The sun was low and there were shadows, but where the
light rays touched, all lay mellow and warm, golden and gay and sweet.
On the porch he found Unity, sitting with her guitar, singing to a
ragged grey youth, thin and pale, with big hollow eyes. She smiled and
put out her hand. "Judith said you were coming. She will be down in a
moment. Major Stafford--Captain Howard--Go on singing? Very well,--

"Soft o'er the fountain, lingering falls the southern moon--"