_Miss P._ "It is a simple problem. I am loyal, as I have said; but I am a daughter and sister first, patriot later. In a fit of meaningless bravado, tempered perhaps by some compulsion from over the border, my old father and brothers had joined a rebel commando. You, with a naivete which I had hardly expected in you, and for which I liked you, told me the objective of your column--information which meant everything to me, and perhaps to you, for you looked as if you would have liked to have bitten your tongue out after you had parted with it. I, with the honest intention of saving my father and brothers from you, rode out to them that night. I then knew nothing of Lotter's and Hertzog's men. If it had not been for the fighting, I should be now back again at Richmond Road. As it is, my poor wounded father in the next room is sufficient reason for my presence here." _I. O._ (_who, English-like, was all sympathy at once_) "Oh, it was your father then that you brought with you in the Cape cart. I hope that he is not badly wounded. May I see him?" _Miss P._ "There would be no object in your seeing him, as he is at present asleep. No; he is, not severely wounded. He is shot through the shoulder,--luckily it has missed his lung." _I. O._ (_with unaffected solicitude_) "I am indeed sorry for you, Miss Pretorius; those last forty-eight hours have been full of trouble for you. But I doubt if you know the worst!" _Miss P._ (_suddenly paling, and losing for the moment her self-control_) "The worst!--surely you have not burned our farm? You are not burning farms in the Colony!" _I. O._ "No, not your farm; but I am afraid your sweetheart has been badly hit!" _Miss P._ (_with evident relief and surprise_) "My sweetheart!" _I. O._ "Yes; the guide whom we took from your farm. He tried to escape, and was unfortunately shot." _Miss P._ (_laughing outright_) "Oh, Stephanus! He is no sweetheart of mine. How could he be? He is only a bywoner!" _I. O._ "But you told me that he was when I first suggested taking him with me!" _Miss P._ "Did I? It was not the truth, then; it was only an addition to the part I was then playing." _I. O._ "How do I know that you are not still playing a part?" _Miss P._ "If I am, then it is a very sad one. No; you may trust me now. I have played my part, and if anything that I could do for you would stop this dreadful war, I would gladly help you!" _I. O._ "You can help me, if you will; but after what you have said about my want of manners, I am afraid to ask you a question." _Miss P._ "I have forgiven you that; and now that you do not claim the right to question me, I do not mind answering you if I can!" _I. O._ "How, if your object was to save your father, did it happen that Lotter was informed of our presence at Richmond Road?"