"Let them lift the blockade then," coolly returned the young officer; "it is a chance of war. Don't waste your sympathy on them. Bestow it nearer at hand. Sempland starts in half an hour. Won't you see him before he goes?" "Yes," whispered the girl, "if you will send him to me." "There is no time to lose. I will have him here in a few moments." As he turned away the girl stretched out her hand to him. "You have been very good--very brave--very noble," she faltered. "I wish--I--I loved you more than--than I do." He stooped over her and kissed her bended head. She was a little woman and so appealing. He breathed a prayer over her and tore himself away. "Thank you," he said, "you have rewarded me. Good-by." CHAPTER V WHAT HAPPENED IN THE STRONG ROOM As she heard his departing footstep on the porch the poor girl threw herself down upon her knees and lifted her hands. "The South and--and--he, mistaken, but still--ah, where is my duty? The ship and Rhett Sempland! I love him. I cannot let him go! It would be wicked. God pity me! But how, how to prevent it? If I can only delay him until to-morrow, I can tell the general everything, and--is there a way, is there a way, O God?" She thought deeply, every atom in her being concentrated on the problem which tore her between love and duty, devotion to the cause of the South and those other appeals, which, finding lodgment in her heart, moved her so profoundly. She wrestled with the question as to where her duty lay as Jacob wrestled with the angel of old, and if she did not conquer, at least she decided. Determining on a desperate course of action, she rose to her feet and sharply struck a bell by her side on the table. The house was an ancient mansion when it had been rented by her aunt and herself three years before. It dated back to Colonial times. There was a strong room in it, the windows of which were barred. It would make a safe prison for any one. He should be put in there and be kept there until morning. He would be safe there. No harm would come to the ship, and when the general knew, he would forgive her. She would tell him the first thing in the morning. It would cause her lover pain and grief, this summary action of hers, but she could explain it to him, too; and he would forgive her also and she would reward him with herself! There was compensation in that, she thought proudly and tenderly.