“Well, well, I must submit, I suppose! but you will come back soon?” sighed Erminie. “As soon as possible, love! And now God bless you, darling, and send you a full and speedy recovery!” said Miss Conyers, stooping and kissing her friend. “And God keep you in all your ways, my best beloved,” breathed Erminie, returning the caress. “Good-bye, Elfie!” said Britomarte, as she wrung Elfrida’s hand and left the room. On her way to the library to seek Justin, she met him in the hall. “Good-bye, Justin!” she exclaimed, holding out her hand. “What!” he cried. “Good-bye!” “You don’t mean it!” “Yes, I do!” “Where are you going?” “About my business, Justin,” sadly smiled Miss Conyers. “But—excuse me!—What business?” “That is my secret, if you please, Justin” “Pardon my impertinence,” said Colonel Rosenthal, with a mortified air; “but I hoped to speak to you, Britomarte, on that one subject which day and night has occupied my thoughts since I first met you!” he said, taking her hand and seeking to detain her. “Let that subject rest, if not forever, at least till after the war is over.” “And then?” “Then we may neither of us wish to resume it.” “Britomarte, are you not wantonly trifling with my happiness and yours?” “I have no time for ‘trifling’ of any sort. It would be well, besides, if we thought a little less of ‘happiness,’ and a little more of duty. Justin, my carriage is waiting to take me to the station, where I must not miss the train. Good-bye!” said Britomarte, withdrawing her hand from his clasp. “No, let me see you to the station, at least,” said Justin, taking his hat, opening the hall door, and escorting her to the carriage, into which he followed her. They caught the train just before it started. Miss Conyers had no luggage but a hand-bag, and therefore she was the more easily enabled to get into her seat in the ladies’ car in time. Justin bade her a hasty adieu, and returned home. * * * * * As soon as Erminie was convalescent Justin took leave of her and returned to his regiment. And in the course of a few weeks, two or more of our young friends went to the front—little Mim as a volunteer, and Mr. Billingcoo as a drafted man. CHAPTER XL. ON THE BATTLE-FIELD. ’Twas the battle-field, and the starless night Hung dark o’er the dead and the dying, And the wind passed by, with a dirge and a moan, Where the young and the brave were lying.—L. E. L.