“Because mine has, that is all!” replied the old man, throwing down his hat and seating himself unceremoniously. “Yes, Ensign Dawson presented himself this morning at our house, looking as honest, as frank, and as innocent as that exemplary young man generally does. I inquired why he came, and how he dared present himself. He replied that he had been unavoidably detained, but that as soon as he was at liberty, he had returned to redeem his parole and save his honor. I told him that ‘naught was never in danger,’ but requested him to be more explicit. He declined, saying that he had explained to me that he had been detained, and had in the first moment of his liberty returned to give himself up, and that was enough for me to know.” “But, you asked him about the supposed companion of his flight?” inquired the indiscreet Nellie. “Ay, and when I mentioned Margaret Helmstedt’s name, his eyes flashed fire! he clapped his hand where his sword was not, and looked as if he would have run me through the body!” “And gave you no satisfaction, I daresay?” “None whatever--neither denying nor affirming anything.” “And what have you done with the villain? I hope you have locked him up in the cellar!” exclaimed the indignant Nellie. “Not I, indeed; if I had, the case would have been hopeless.” “I--I do not understand you,” said Nellie. The clergyman looked all around the room, and then replied: “There are no giddy young people here to repeat the story. I will tell you. Grace is a fool! All girls are, I believe! A scarlet coat with gilt ornaments inflames their imaginations--a wound melts their hearts! And our wounded prisoner, between his fine scarlet and gold coat and his broken rib--(well, you understand me!)--if I had locked him up in the cellar, or in the best bedroom, my girl would have straightway imagined me a tyrannical old despot, and my captive would have grown a hero in her eyes! No, I invited him to dinner, drank his health, played a game of backgammon with him, and afterward returned him his parole, and privately signified that he was at liberty to depart. And however my silly girl feels about it, she cannot say that I persecuted this ‘poor wounded hussar.’” “But, the d----l! you do not mean to say that this villain aspired to Grace also?” exclaimed Colonel Houston, in dismay. “How can I tell? I do not know that he did aspire to Margaret, or that he didn’t aspire to Grace! All I know is, that Grace behaved like a fool after his first departure and worse, if possible, after his second. But Margaret, you say, has returned?” “She came back this morning.” “And what does the unfortunate girl say?” “Like your prisoner, she refuses to affirm or deny anything.” “Mr. Wellworth,” said Colonel Houston, “we have decided to speak no more upon the subject with Miss Helmstedt, but to leave matters as they are until the return of her father, who is daily expected.”