n the
wharf that night, but he had been sternly waved back by the general,
and without being given a chance to learn anything about her condition
he had been hurried to headquarters and heavily guarded in the room
where he was to be held pending Beauregard's further pleasure. As for
Fanny Glen, although Sempland could not know it, the surgeon who had
been present had speedily revived that young woman, a carriage had been
summoned, and she had been taken home under the escort of one of the
staff officers.

Sempland was utterly unable to fathom her mysterious conduct. He had
thought upon it swiftly as he could during those trying moments which
had been so filled with action, but he had not had time, until in the
quiet and solitude of his confinement, to give it any calm
consideration. He was at a loss to understand her actions.

Was she a traitor to the South? Did she think to prevent the loss of
the flagship of the Federal fleet by detaining him? That could not be,
for if ever truth and sincerity shone in a woman's face and were
evinced in a woman's actions, they were in Fanny Glen's appearance and
life. Her patriotism was unquestioned. That hypothesis must be
dismissed at once.

Was it because she loved him so that, fancying the expedition promised
certain death to him, she had taken this unfortunate method of
preserving his life? He had not been too agitated in the strong room of
her house to realize as he held her that in some mysterious way she was
happy at being in his arms. His heart leaped at the recollection. She
had not struggled. She had almost nestled against him.

He could recall the clasp of her arms, the kiss that she had given him,
the words that she had said. He was almost sure that she loved him as
he thought of these things.

Yet--she had disgraced him, dishonored him! That was not the act of a
loving woman. She had shown herself possessed of a full measure of
womanly heroism and courage. She knew exactly what was involved in his
failure to carry out his orders. How could she have done it? Was it all
acting then? Did her kisses betray him? Was she indeed a traitor--and
to him? Yet--for whom?

There was Lacy--oh, had he repented after all? Had he wished to resume
the command he had so reluctantly surrendered? Had she been a party to
any plan whereby the matter might be brought about? Was he to be shamed
and sacrificed for Lacy's glory and honor by this woman? Perish the
thought! Yet why had she f