There was nothing said for a few minutes, for I expected the lieutenant to speak; but as he did not, I turned to him and said: "If all was ready, sir, I could drop one gunner; and I'd trust Measles--Sam Bigley-- to drop the other, when a bold dash might do it. You see they've retired a good thirty yards, and we should only have twenty more to run than they; while the surprise would give us that start. A good sharp jack-knife would set the prisoners free, and a covering-party would perhaps check the pursuit while we got in." "We shall have to try it, Smith," he said, his breath coming thick and fast with excitement; and then he seemed to turn white, for Miss Ross and Lizzy came into the room. STORY ONE, CHAPTER FOURTEEN. I should think it must have been the devil tempting Lieutenant Leigh, or he would never have done as he did; for, as he looked at Miss Ross, the change that came over him was quite startling. He could read all that was passing in her heart; there was no need for her to lay her hand upon his arm, and point with the other out of the window, as in a voice that I didn't know for hers, she said: "Will you leave those two brave men there to die, Lieutenant Leigh?" He didn't answer for a moment, but seemed to be struggling with himself; then, speaking as huskily as she did, he said: "Send away that girl!" and before I could go to her--for I should have done it, then, I know-- and whisper a few words of hope, poor Lizzy went out, mourning for Harry Lant, wringing her hands; and I stood at my post, a sentry by my commander's orders, so that it was no spying on my part if I heard what followed. I believe Lieutenant Leigh fancied he was speaking in an undertone, when he led Miss Ross away to a corner, and spoke to her; but this was perhaps the most exciting moment in his life, and his voice rose in spite of himself, so that I heard all; while she, poor thing, I believe forgot all about my presence; and, as a sentry--a machine almost--placed there, what right had I to speak? "Will you leave him?" said Miss Ross again. "Will you not try to save him?" Lieutenant Leigh did not answer for a bit, for he was making his plans, and I felt quite staggered as I saw through them. "You see how he is placed: what can I do?" said Lieutenant Leigh. "If I go, it is the signal for firing. You see the gunners waiting. And why should I risk the lives of my men, and my own, to save him?--He is a soldier, and it is the fortune of war: he must die." "Are you a man, or a coward?" said Miss Ross angrily. "No coward," he said fiercely; "but a poor slighted man, whom you have wronged, jilted, and ill-used; and now you come to me to save your lover's life--to give mine for it. You have robbed me of all that is pleasant between you; and now you ask more. Is it just?"