"You hurried me so, or I should have remembered to bring it. Father thought it so fine. He has won a prize, twenty-five pounds. And he thinks another year he may pass all the examinations. Oh, won't your mother be glad?" There was such a sweet, joyous satisfaction in her tone, such a lovely light in her eyes, that his heart made a protest. "You care a great deal about his success?" he said jealously. "Yes, why not?" in surprise. "And none about mine?" "Why--it is so different;" faltering a little. "And you know I never was overfond of soldiering." "Where would the country have been but for the brave men who fought and gained her liberty? Look at General Washington, and that brave noble-hearted Lafayette. And there was General Steuben that winter at Valley Forge, sharing hardship when he might have lived at ease. It stirs my blood when I think of the hundreds of brave men, and I am proud to be a soldier." He stood up very straight, and there was a world of resolution in his eyes, a flush on his cheek. "But you are glad of his success?" "And why should you not be as glad of mine?" not answering her question. "Why--I am. But you see that appeals to me the more. Yet I shall be glad for you to rise in your profession, and win honors, only--fighting shocks me all through. I am a coward." "And he will come back a doctor, and you will rejoice with him. I shouldn't mind that so much, but you will marry him----" "Marry him! Ned, what are you thinking of!" There was a curious protest in her face almost strong enough for horror. Even her lips lost their rosy tint. "What I am thinking of is this," and there was a fierce desperation in his tone. "I love you! love you! and I cannot bear to think of you going to any other man, of any person calling you wife. I've always loved you, and it has grown with my manhood's strength. Archie will always be lost in his books, and his care for others. A doctor ought never to marry, he belongs to the world at large. And I want you in my very life;" then his arms were about her, and clasped her so tightly that for an instant she could make no protest. She pushed away and dropped on a great stone, beginning to cry. "Oh, Daffodil, what have I done! It is my wild love. It is like some plant that grows and grows, and suddenly bursts into bloom. I almost hated Bessy Lowy taking possession of me in that fashion. I wanted to talk to you, to be near you, to touch your dear hand. All last night I lay awake thinking of you. It was so sweet that I did not want to sleep." "Oh, hush," she entreated, "hush," making as if she would put him away with her slim hands. "You must not talk so to me. It is a language I do not understand, do not like. I think I am not meant for lovers and marriage. I will be friends always, and rejoice in your success. And it is the same with Archie. Oh, let me live my own quiet life with father and mother----" "And never marry?"