"You have retrieved yourself, Miss Vosburgh. You have become a genuine soldier. It didn't take long to make a veteran of you."
"So much for a good example, you see."
"Oh, well, it's easy enough for a man to face danger. Think how many thousands do it as a matter of course."
"And must women be timid as a matter of course?"
"Women do not often inspire men as you do, Miss Marian. I know I am different from what I was, and I think I always shall be different."
"I didn't treat you fairly, Mr. Merwyn, and I've grieved over the past more than I can tell you."
"And you won't mistrust me again?"
"Never."
"You make me very happy, and you will never know how unhappy I have been. Even before I left the country, last autumn, I envied the drummer-boys of Strahan's regiment. I don't wish to take advantage of your present feeling, or have you forget that I am still under a miserable restraint which I can't explain. I must probably resume my old inactive life, while your other friends win fame and rank in serving their country. Of course I shall give money, but bah! what's that to a girl like you? When all this hurly-burly in the streets is over, when conventional life begins again, and I seem a part of it, will you still regard me as a friend?"
His distrust touched her deeply, when she was giving him her heart's best love, and her strong feeling caused her to falter as she said, "Do you think I can grow cold towards the man who risked his life for me?"