"I cannot compel you, of course," he answered sadly, drawing back a
little. "I know I have neither power nor influence over you, Miss Glen,
but this, at least, I can do. I can swear that you are not telling the
truth."

"I am sure they would not believe you against me," she retorted
vehemently.

CHAPTER XIV

THE WOMAN EXPLAINS

"I think they would believe me against even you," answered Sempland. "I
would tell them that you--ah--love me and that you are trying to save
me. And more, if you say one word to General Beauregard, or any one
else about it after you leave this room, I give you my word of honor I
will declare that I was afraid to go and that I stayed with you."

"Why will you be so foolish?" she asked.

"Because I love you," he burst out, "that's the only reason. I have
told you before, but you did not seem to believe it, at least you did
not appear to care; but now it won't hurt you to hear it once more. You
won't have to hear it again from me. It's the last time. I expect every
moment they will be here to summon me before the court-martial, so I
must tell you now. You are a cruel, heartless coquette. You encouraged
Lacy--"

"I did not!" indignantly.

"And you didn't discourage me."

"How dare you say so?"

"Last night when I held you in my arms and kissed you--"

"I was powerless--"

"When I released you you clasped me around the neck and returned my
caress. I'll swear you did, and all the time you had another man in
your heart."

"Another man?" she exclaimed in great astonishment.

"Yes. That man on the _Wabash_!"

"Oh, the man on the _Wabash_!"

"Yes. You wanted to save him. So you played with me. Why weren't you
honest about it? Why didn't you tell me the truth? But no, you chose to
disgrace me for him. Well, you succeeded. I shall pay the penalty. I
shall keep silent for your sake. He may have you and you may have him,
but my death will be ever between you. The burden of obligation will be
heavy upon you both, more than you can carry!"

He had worked himself up into a jealous rage by this time. His
self-control was completely gone.

"Who is this man?" he burst out at last, while she took a wicked joy in
his misapprehension.

"His--his--name--is--" she spoke slowly and with seeming reluctance,
as if to spare him.

"Then there is a man? Good God! I had hoped, in spite of everything,
that I might have been mistaken, that you acted so for some other
reason. Do you love h