"No doubt Dupont was a trusty spy for General Hindman," said Mr. Chittenden. "Mark, you are stepping into dangerous shoes; yet, if you were my son, I should bid you go. As for the money, keep that; no doubt it was given Dupont for expenses, and you are now in his place." Mark's preparations were soon made, but the roll which he strapped behind his saddle was much larger than he generally took. When he was ready, he sought Grace, to say good-bye. She was not in the house, and knew nothing of what had taken place. He sought her in her favorite nook by the side of the La Belle, and there he found her gazing pensively into the water. Mark thought there was a look of sadness on her face. She looked up in surprise as he rode up. "Going away so soon?" she asked. Dismounting, Mark hitched his horse, and, going up to her, said: "Yes, Grace, I am going again, and on one of the most dangerous missions I ever undertook. I have come to say good-bye. If I never see you again, God bless you!" The girl turned pale. "Why go, Mark, if it is so dangerous?" "It is my duty." "Mark, don't go!" Tears were gathering in her eyes. He looked at her, his whole face eloquent with love. All the resolutions he had made were forgotten. "Grace, I must say what I have told myself a thousand times I would never say. Grace, I love you--love you better than I do my own soul, and because I so love you, it is better that I go away and never return." "I don't understand," she murmured. "You said things the other day I didn't understand, and you made me angry." "Grace, you are fit to reign a queen in some palace. I am poor and unknown. But it is not my poverty that has kept me from declaring my love. It is because I am unworthy of you--because I have deceived you in some things. Grace, I am not worthy to kiss the earth you tread on." A death-like pallor came over the face of the girl. "Mark, for the love of Heaven, tell me--tell me! Are you married, or have you committed some heinous crime?" "Married! Why, Grace, I never thought of love until I saw you. I knew not what love was. Neither am I a criminal. Things are done in war that would be criminal in times of peace." "Then why do you say you are so unworthy? Mark, it's that terrible secret you are keeping from me! Mark, tell me what it is?" She put her hands on his shoulders, looking yearningly in his face. Mark Grafton shook like a leaf. "Grace! Grace!" he cried, "don't tempt me! You know not what you ask." "Then you refuse to tell me?" She had taken her hands from his shoulders; there was an angry flush on her cheeks. "I can't, Grace! Oh, God! if I could!"