"You tell me that—"
"You do not believe me?"
"No."
"I beg to assure you, Miss Glen, upon my word of honor—and it has not been questioned heretofore—that I told him these very things not longer than half an hour ago. And I informed him that I intended to tell you."
"What did he say?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her for the moment.
"He laughed. Said that the South had a present and pressing need for such as I," he replied with sturdy honesty, "but that he would take great pleasure in killing me when the war was over if we were both spared."
"Well, sir, was not that a fine reply?"
"It was. It was a gentleman's answer. I admired him for it and told him so. At the same time I told him that he must cease his attentions to you."
"By what right did you dare—" cried the girl, almost choking with sudden and indignant protest.
"No right. Unless my love for you, with a desire to serve you, greater than everything save my devotion to that flag yonder, can excuse me."