"Civil war brings strange usages," the doctor smiled grimly, "and to-day's conduct cannot be judged by the standards of the past. I am sorry to shock your sensibilities, but you ladies must not believe all you hear." "What scandal are you discussing so vigorously?" called Nancy from a near-by window seat. Mrs. Bennett jumped perceptibly as Nancy's soft voice reached her. "Dear child, how you startle one! Have you been there long?" Her voice rose to a sharper key. "Miss Nancy and I have just returned from the back parlor," volunteered her escort, a tall officer, wearing the red stripes of the artillery on his well-worn uniform. As he walked toward Mrs. Bennett, she detained him for a moment. Goddard, who had been an interested listener to the doctor's defense of Nancy, rose from his seat on the sofa, and, seizing his opportunity, stepped over to the alcove and joined the young girl. "How is my friend, Misery?" he asked. "Very miserable, indeed, when I left him this afternoon. He does not enjoy being away from me." "I dare swear he is not alone in that," laughed Goddard. "Won't you sing again, Miss Newton?" "Not to-night. Are you, by chance, the Major Goddard whom my friend, John Gurley, is always talking and writing about?" "Yes; John is in my regiment. We are chums, you know." "I saw a great deal of Captain Gurley when he was with his aunt, Mrs. Arnold, in November. We had great fun together." Nancy laughed at a passing recollection. "In his last letter he urged me to come to Winchester and make a long-promised visit at my cousins, the Pages." "Why don't you?" asked Goddard eagerly. "We can give you a very good time there. The officers' mess has organized a weekly hop, although girls are scarce, and I am sure we can arrange some other amusements for you." "I hesitate to make any definite plans," replied Nancy thoughtfully, "for General Sheridan is likely to skedaddle out of the Valley at any moment, and I would not enjoy being captured by Early." "We are billed to stay there some time longer," replied Goddard confidently. "The roads are in no condition to move cavalry and artillery. There really is no prospect of our leaving winter quarters until later on." "In that case I will ask Aunt Metoaca's permission to go." "I expect to return day after to-morrow, Miss Newton; it would give me great pleasure to escort you to Winchester if you can arrange to go as soon as that." "I will talk it over with Aunt Metoaca," was Nancy's non-committal reply, and Goddard's face fell. "May I call and see your aunt?" he pleaded eagerly. "I am sure I can convince her that it is safe for you to make the trip." "Under your escort," laughed Nancy. In the soft lamplight Goddard caught the witchery of her eyes, and his heart gave a most unaccustomed thump against his ribs. "Take care, sir; you don't know what a grave responsibility you may be assuming."