Billie! I grasped the full truth of it in an instant. Lord! I had been a fool. The woman had played with me as though I were a mere child; had been laughing at me all night; and doubtless intended now to hand me over prisoner to this squad of gray-jackets. Billie! The very person I was seeking; the only one who could hope to get through after all others had failed. And I had supposed "Billie" was a man, never once thinking of the name as a pet feminine one of the South. The realization of all this confused me so that I missed a part of what was being said, and only aroused as the man spoke more sharply. "That's all right, of course; I understand what brought you here, but where is that fellow you had with you?" "Who?" it was an indignant voice. "Oh, you understand, Miss Innocence," a slight sneer in the utterance. "There was a man in your company when you arrived, dressed as a Yank. Moran told me so. You were breakfasting together--the table proves that." "Well, what of it? I explained his presence to the judge. Am I obliged to account for all my actions to every one I meet?" The officer, evidently acquainted with the lady's disposition, and aware that driving would never do, changed his tone, crossing the room toward her, and lowering his voice. "No, not to every one, Billie, but surely you cannot deny I have some right to this information. Would you wish me to be riding the country at night with a strange woman?" "If it became part of your duty--yes. I have no remembrance of ever interfering with your freedom, Captain Le Gaire." I could hear the man's teeth click, as though in an effort to restrain an oath. "By God, but you are irritating!" he burst forth impetuously. "One would think I were no more to you than a stranger. This is no light affair to be laughed away. Have you forgotten our engagement already?" "That is scarcely probable. You remind me of it often enough. Don't crush my hand so." Her provoking coldness was all that was needed to overcome the slight restraint the captain still exercised. Instantly his real nature came to the fore. "Then I'll make him do the explaining," he threatened fiercely. "I know how to deal with men. Where is the fellow? In that room?" There was a brief silence. I could distinguish his rapid breathing, and the slight rustle of her skirts as she sank back into a chair. "Well, are you going to tell me? Or must I hunt for myself?" "Captain Le Gaire," she began quietly, without even a tremor in the soft voice, "possibly you forget whom I am. The gentlemen of my acquaintance have never been accustomed to question the motives actuating my conduct. You imagine yourself talking to some darky on your Louisiana plantation. Is this the manner in which you propose treating me after marriage?" He laughed uneasily. "Why, I meant nothing, Billie. Don't take it in that way. Surely you understand I have a right to be curious as to your companion."