“Yes,” I assented hastily, for her agitation was so great I feared it might attract the attention of others. “I remember you said so at the time of my arrest, but supposed you had either forgotten or had found your intercession fruitless.” “Why, how you must have despised me! Forgotten?”--her eyes filled instantly with tears. “Not for an hour, Captain Wayne, but Frank--” she bit her lip impatiently--“I was told, that is, I was led to believe that you were--had been sent North as a prisoner of war late last night. Otherwise I should have insisted upon seeing you--on pleading your cause with the General himself. The Major and I breakfasted with him this morning, but your name was not mentioned, for I believed you safe.” She did not appear to realize, so deep was her present indignation and regret, that my hand had found a resting-place upon her own. “You must believe me, Captain Wayne; I could not bear to have you feel that I could prove such an ingrate.” “You need never suppose I should think that,” I replied, with an earnestness of manner that caused her to glance at me in surprise. “I confidently expected to hear from you all day, and finally when no word came I became convinced some such misconception as you have mentioned must have occurred. Then it became my turn to act upon my own behalf if I would preserve my life; yet never for one moment have I doubted you or the sincerity of your pledge to me.” She drew her hand away from my clasp, gently and not unkindly, then passed it through the masses of her dark, shining hair, but her face remained turned aside from me. Oh, how I longed at that moment to pour forth in fervent words the affection that burned within my heart! But irrespective of the doubt as to her being free to listen to such a declaration, there was a pride about her manner, a certain restraint which she ever seemed to exercise over me, that effectually sealed my lips. Her very presence was a moral tonic, and I felt it would be easier to tear out my tongue than to utter anything which she could construe into possible insult. The very depth of her perfect womanhood was itself protection, and, until the veil was finally lifted, my lips were vowed to silence. She waited quietly while a couple passed us and sought seats nearer the door. “Tell me the entire story,” she said gently.