Colonel Tayloe and his wife had stayed much in their room, talking over matters of minutest detail as to the new life of each, while Dorothy and her father had a long talk after the latter’s return from “Grey Cliffs,” where he had spent most of the day. He had brought back her mother’s portrait, and told her he wanted it put in her room. “There is no telling what may happen,” he said, trying, however, to speak cheerfully. “There may be trouble around here yet. The negroes seem to be going crazy. Only two are over there now—old Israel and his wife. I have buried all the silver and a few other things,” and he told her where he had hidden them. “I want you to understand about everything, Dorothy. You know it will all be yours some day, and there is no telling”—he stopped abruptly at the sight of the sad, pained face. “Don’t look that way, Dorothy, daughter,” he went on, softly stroking the hand he held in both of his. “When the end comes to me don’t grieve, but be glad, glad for me; for I’ve wanted to go for a long time, except for leaving you, and I know that is all right now. Bobbie has proven himself to be a soldier worthy of the cause for which he fights, and I have been proud of him—very proud. I have made you both wait much longer than I intended, but I did it to be satisfied, and I am satisfied at last. I have lived for so many years with only the memory of a past and the hope of a future that I am longing for the NOW of her presence.” He paused for a moment, and Dorothy dared not trust herself to speak; she could only cling to him in mute understanding of the loneliness of his life. He stroked her hair softly, and after awhile continued: “You have been the comfort of my life, my daughter—my dear little daughter—but you will understand some day, and I only want you not to grieve should the fate of some of those poor lads come to me. You know I am on the field sometimes—you will remember, child—and go now and see that everything is ready for Bobbie’s coming, for I am sure he will be here, and when he comes I want to have a talk with him.”