He felt so sorry for the poor little frightened thing. He longed to gather her up in his arms and comfort her, reassure her. "They might," he returned, stepping nearer to her and visibly unbending. "I cannot have you take the risk. I won't allow it!" There was something nice, after all, in the imperative mood, she thought. "But how will you prevent it, Mr. Sempland?" "I tell you, I forbid you!" "But if I disobey? I never promised to obey you, did I?--that is, not yet?" "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 him?" "Yes," faintly, turning away her head.