“There, there, my darling; I know you are a brave and good girl! and there are millions of your countrywomen like you! for you are a native American citizen, my Minie, although I am not,” said the Lutheran minister, patting his daughter on the head. “But there will be no necessity, let us hope, for all this self-devotion! The clouds of secession gather rather thickly and darkly just now, but they will be dispelled—they will be dispelled,” he added, walking away to the fireplace. Colonel Eastworth took the vacant place beside Erminie, and stooped and whispered very low: “And what will become of me, my Minie, when you shall follow your father to the field? Where shall I be, and who will care for me?” “You will be with my father, and I will care for you both! Surely you will stand shoulder to shoulder with my father, in defense of our beloved country! And as surely I shall be near to minister to you both!” answered Erminie, looking up with surprise. As the hour was late, the party now separated and retired to their respective rooms. The last thought of Colonel Eastworth, in sinking to sleep, was: “It will come to this—that my beloved Minie must choose between her loyalty and her lover—and her lover will be quite sure to triumph!” CHAPTER XXI. ELFRIDA’S ARRIVAL. As soon as the early family breakfast was over, Mr. Goldsborough got ready to go to the convent to fetch away his daughter. “You will bring her immediately here, I hope?” said Erminie. “Oh, of course—of course he will,” added Erminie’s father. “Thank you both. I certainly intend to call with Alberta before leaving town,” replied Mr. Goldsborough. “Call with her? Bring her here and make a visit with her. You surely cannot mean to take her direct from the convent to the country without giving her a sight of the city!” exclaimed the old doctor. “We must leave Washington this evening at the latest. The necessity for our return is imperative!” answered Mr. Goldsborough, gravely. “I suppose you are anxious to get back, to stem with all your strength this tendency to secession, or should you not succeed in that, at least to take care of your family interests, threatened by State politics. Well, perhaps you are right,” said the unsuspicious old minister. Mr. Goldsborough’s face flushed scarlet, but that might have been from the efforts he was making to draw on a very tight glove, or even from the compression of the very thick woolen scarf that was wound around his throat as he stood there booted and greatcoated, and ready for his start. He answered not a word, but took his hat from the rack, bowed, and went away. The snow that had been falling all night long, lay deep upon the ground, and was falling fast still. The old doctor shut the door quickly after his departing guest, and came back into the library with a renewed appreciation of the comforts of his own fireside.