"I cannot consider the offer, my young friend, in any other than a business way. Your generosity has already put us under obligations we can never pay and has only brought you mortification." "Not so," was the reply. "In your house I have known the first home feeling I ever experienced. Colonel, don't oppose me in this. If you wish to call it business, give it that term." "Yours will be the fourth mortgage on this place; I hesitate to offer it. The hall is already pledged for $15,000." "It is amply sufficient." "I will consider the matter, Mr. Morgan," he said after a long silence. "I will consider it and consult Evan. I do not see my way clear to accept your offer, but whether or not, my young friend"--putting his arm over the other's shoulder, his voice trembling--"whether I do or not you have in making it done me an honor and a favor that I will remember for life. It is worth something to meet a man now and then who is worthy to have lived in nobler times. God bless you--and now you must excuse me." He turned away abruptly. Thrilled by his tone and words, Edward went to the front. As he shook hands with Mary he said: "I cannot tell yet. But he cannot refuse. There is no escape for him." At the depot in the city the doctor said: "Do not count too hopefully upon Paris, my young friend. There is a chance, but in my opinion the greatest good that can be achieved is for the patient to store in memory scenes upon which in other days she may dwell with pleasure. Keep this in mind and be governed accordingly." He climbed aboard the train and waved adieu. Edward was leaving the depot when he overtook Barksdale. Putting his buggy in the care of a boy, he walked on with the railroader at his request to the club. Barksdale took him into a private room and over a choice cigar Edward gave him all the particulars of the duel and then expressed his grateful acknowledgments for the friendly services rendered him. "I am assured by Gen. Evan," he said, "that had my demand been made in a different form I might have been seriously embarrassed." "Royson depended upon the Montjoys to get him out of the affair; he had no idea of fighting." "But how could the Montjoys have helped him?" "They could have appealed to him to withdraw the charges he had made, and he would have done so because the information came really from a member of the Montjoy family. I do not think you will need to ask her name. I mention it to you because you should be informed." Edward comprehended his meaning at once. Greatly agitated, he exclaimed: "But what object could she have had in putting out such slander? I do not know her nor she me." Barksdale waved his hand deprecatingly: "You do not know much of women." "No. I have certainly not met this kind before."