too weak to earn my own living, and it would
be a disgrace to Charles Henry if I bought him off from his duty. The
world might then think he was a coward, and had not courage enough to
fight."

"Do you think it a disgrace for a man to be wanting in courage?" said
Anna Sophia, gazing at him as if her life depended upon his answer.

"I think so," said he, calmly; "it is as bad for a man to be without
courage as for a woman to be without virtue."

Anna Sophia raised her dark, glowing eyes to heaven with an expression
of deep thankfulness. Then giving way to her emotion, she threw her arms
around the old shepherd, and, leaning her head upon his shoulder, she
wept bitterly. He did not disturb her, but pressed her tenderly to his
heart, and whispered occasionally a few loving, consoling words. He
believed he understood her sorrow; he thought he knew the source
of these tears. She was weeping because all hope of preventing her
betrothed from being a soldier was now gone.

"Weep no more, my child," said he, at last; "your eyes will be red; it
will sadden Charles Henry, and make it harder for him to say good-by.
See, there he comes to join us--do not weep, my child."

Anna raised her head and dried her eyes hastily. "I am not weeping,
father," said she. "I entreat you do not tell Charles Henry that I
have been crying--do not, if you love me. I will promise not to be sad
again."

"I will be silent, but you must keep your word and be cheerful, so as
not to sadden the poor boy."

"I will."

Anna Sophia kept her word. She gave Charles Henry a bright, cheery
welcome. While she was joking and laughing with the old man, evening
came upon them, and as it cast its shadows about, Charles Henry became
more and more silent and sad.

It was now time to drive home the fold, the sun had set, and Phylax
had collected his little army. The old shepherd arose. "And now, my
children," said he, "take leave of one another. It is the last sunset
you will see together for many a long day. Swear to each other here, in
the presence of God and of his beautiful world, that you will be true to
each other, that your love shall never change."

Charles Henry looked timidly, beseechingly at Anna Sophia, but she would
not encounter his gaze.

"We have said all that we had to say," said she, quietly, "we will
therefore not make our parting harder by repeating it."

"It will make parting much easier to me," cried Charles Henry, "if you
will swear