I protest--"

"I am ready, gentlemen," whispered Fanny Glen, bravely, turning very
white as she spoke, and not appearing at all ready in fact, "I--I--am
glad to--suffer, since Captain Sempland--" she faltered with a
miserable attempt at courage.

"One moment, please," broke in the little general, imperatively. "But,
gentlemen, the culprit has otherwise deserved well of her country, as
you know. During the war her services in the general hospital have been
beyond price. She is a woman. On the ship which it was proposed to blow
up was her father, Admiral Vernon, a South Carolinian, whose ideas of
duty led him to continue his services to the United States. These are
mitigating circumstances. Here is no treachery to the South, merely a
woman's desire to save her father from a swift and sudden death. No
mischance has arisen from her action. Major Lacy took out the boat with
his usual distinction, although, fortunately for the lady and the
admiral, the _Housatonic_ seems to have suffered instead of the
_Wabash_. Under these circumstances, I think, it does not behoove us to
be too severe. You agree with me, I am sure, gentlemen?"

"Certainly, sir, we do," replied the officers in chorus.

"Thank you! thank you!" exclaimed Fanny Glen, gratefully, with
boundless relief in her voice.

By this time she was as close to Sempland as she could get, and
entirely unconscious of what he was doing, the latter had thrown his
arm protectingly around her waist.

"Wait, Miss Glen," said the general, severely, lifting his hand and
checking her further speech, "you cannot think to escape scot free.
Such actions cannot go entirely unpunished. So long as Miss Fanny Glen
exists she must suffer for her actions. You are agreed with me,
gentlemen?"

"We are, sir."

It was remarkable the unanimity with which they all supported their
general's decisions on so serious a matter, and practically without
deliberation.

"Captain Sempland, as a soldier, I am sure you will acquiesce in the
views of your brother officers."

Sempland bit his lip. Fanny Glen nestled closer to him and looked up at
him beseechingly.

"Oh, General!" he said at last. "Isn't there some way out of it?"

"There may be," said the general, solemnly. "Let me think a moment.
Suppose--ah, suppose, Miss Fanny Glen were to disappear?"

"But where can I go, sir?" asked the girl, nervously. "All that I
love--" she observed a smile flickering upon the general's lips as she
glanc