“I shall be very well entertained meanwhile,” replied Colonel Gratiot gallantly, and accepting Angela’s invitation to be seated and her prompt offer of either blackberry wine or hard cider by way of refreshment. “I’ll take the cider,” replied Colonel Gratiot, with an air of resignation. And then, Hector having brought the cider in and apologizing profusely for it, Colonel Gratiot and Angela were again left alone. The old soldier’s small figure was almost lost in the depths of a great armchair from whence he surveyed Angela critically and with admiration. There was a pathos concealed under her easy and self-possessed manner, and pity for her stirred Colonel Gratiot’s honest old heart. “She is pining for her husband,” he thought, “the poor, pretty young thing!” He began to ask Angela questions about what she was reading and what she was doing, and then spoke of Isabey, but always with tact and grace. “Captain Isabey,” he said, “I reckon one of my smartest officers. I hope, after we have licked the Yankees, that Isabey will remain in the army. He is cut out for a soldier, and a fine career awaits him. If he would only stick to a military life!” The instant Isabey’s name was mentioned a flood of color poured into Angela’s face, but she answered coolly enough: “We were very much alarmed for him the night the Yankees came, but he escaped.” “I don’t intend to give the Yankees the same chance,” responded Colonel Gratiot. “I sent word to Tremaine that I should stay the night, but this message was for the purpose of throwing anyone off the scent who might convey news of my movements; in reality I shall leave before bedtime to-night.” After half an hour’s talk Colonel Gratiot, who was a connoisseur in women, concluded that Mrs. Neville Tremaine was a very interesting, not to say fascinating, girl, informed beyond her years in many things, and a child in some other things. While they were talking Adrienne entered, looking in her thin black gown like a portrait in pastel, so clear, so soft, so dark. Colonel Gratiot congratulated himself upon having even for a short time the society of two such charming women. Adrienne exerted herself to please him, and Colonel Gratiot was surprised when one o’clock arrived and with it Colonel and Mrs. Tremaine. Colonel Tremaine was delighted to see his old chum, and they retired to the library, where they remained shut up together for two hours, recalling past scenes and discussing the military aspect of the present time. Just before the three-o’clock dinner the two gentlemen came out of the library and joined the ladies in the drawing-room, where Lyddon was introduced to Colonel Gratiot. When dinner was served the table was loaded down with mountains of fried chicken, ham cured in the smoke of chestnut ashes, and every variety of sea food, fruit, and vegetables which a prolific country could produce. “This doesn’t look like wartime,” said Colonel Gratiot.