It was like a breath from my native hills. It was, as Jot said, “as though they had just stepped out from New England,” bringing with them all its homely sweetness; and--Emily Grant was more beautiful than ever. My heart was full: it was a moment worth living for to meet them amid such beautiful surroundings. That afternoon we, Miss Grant, Miss Rich, Jot and I, took a trolley ride down the coast. Fifteen miles of beautiful roads mostly cut into the sides of the cliffs, which ran up and up and up, and on the terraces of which were magnificent gardens with vines and olive trees and flowers, above the white stone. With such company it was all too entrancing for words! Doctor Rich was interested in scientific inquiries connected with his profession, and was glad to have us take the girls off his hands. Such good times as we had, swimming and boating, and on the cliffs! Such a contrast was it to the squalid trenches. Jot had evidently told Miss Emily about my gaining the _Croix de Guerre_, for she asked me about it. We were far upon the cliff looking down on town and sea, and at her request I took it out of a case where I had enshrined it, and showed it to her. “Oh, how fine in you!” she said, and then asked me questions about my winning it, until I was tired. So I snapped it in the case again to resume my--view of the country. Jot teased me by declaring that I did not even care to take my swims, without Miss Emily for company, for fear of giving several lieutenants who were hovering around, a chance. “No,” I said, “I’ve learned that it is not fashionable to swim here; they tub.” I confess that though I believe myself to be a sensible young man, my heart sank like a piece of lead to the bottom of the sea, when those young fellows bowed and cast languishing glances at her which she answered with a smile. Every rose has its thorn! Our leave of absence was soon to be over. And then the parting came. I took Emily out for a walk and a climb on the high up cliffs--but it was of no use. I did not have the courage to tell her all that I felt; though I was encouraged by her looks and silence. So I parted with my friends at last, she giving me her address in France, and both girls inviting me to see them at the ---- hospital. Furlough was nearly over, and we were on the train at last, speeding for contending armies. Perhaps I might never see Emily again! Jot was looking even more grave than usual; but there was a new light in his eyes that mine did not reflect; which led me to inquire: “Are you engaged to Miss Rich, Jot?” “No,” he replied, “but we have an understanding.” “If you have an understanding, why not engaged?” “A man,” he replied, “should have something to offer a girl besides himself and possibly wounds or death, to be engaged to marry her. Did you,” he continued, “engage yourself to Miss Grant?” “No, I did not mention it to her.”