oliteness ought to make a woman take some thought for a man who was
about to be shot for her sake, he thought bitterly.

Well, he swore to himself, if she should come at the last moment, she
would find him as cold as ice, as indifferent as a Laodicean! He would
show her that he appreciated at its true value not only her heinous
conduct, but her criminal neglect as well. He would make her understand
that it was not love for her that kept him silent. Oh, no! Simply the
obligation of a gentleman, a man of honor, albeit a quixotic one.

Oh, noble resolution! He would go to his grave silent, loading upon her
the weight of an obligation, from which she should never escape. When
the war was over she might marry that man on the _Wabash_ whom she had
been so anxious to save that she had pretended love for him--Sempland!
Yes, he would be under obligation, too, this Union sailor, for to
Sempland would be due his possession of Fanny Glen.

The imprisoned officer ground his teeth in rage at that thought and
turned suddenly from the barred window where he had been standing
listlessly looking down the bay toward old Fort Sumter, almost knocked
to pieces by fierce bombardments, yet still flying the Stars and Bars
in brave defiance of the ironclads far away, and with clenched hands,
firm-set lips, and troubled brow, began pacing up and down the long
apartment. The moments dragged miserably. He wished they would assemble
that court-martial and have it over with. He would not care what they
did, he thought savagely. He was sick and tired of the whole
business--the war, the South, General Beauregard, Fanny Glen,
everything, everybody!

Suddenly he heard footsteps, the clanking of a sword, a word or two
exchanged between the sentry and a newcomer, in the corridor. Some one
turned the handle of the door. It was opened.

Sempland instantly stood at attention, then folded his arms with great
dignity, expecting, of course, to confront some one sent to fetch him
to the opening session of the court. General Beauregard was remarkable
for his promptness and celerity, and he had declared that the young man
should be tried immediately. He had wondered already at the unnecessary
delay. But no stern-featured, dignified official presented himself.
Sempland's astonished gaze fell upon the small figure of a woman!

The door was instantly closed and locked behind her without a word of
explanation from those outside, and the two were alone in a locked