"I knew it long ago," said he gently. "At least, I might have known it, had I ever allowed the subject to enter my head. Does he know it too, do you think, Blanche?"
"Good heavens! No!" she exclaimed. "That would be a complication. You don't think there's a chance of it! I took every care—every precaution. What should I do? General, what would you advise?"
He smiled to mark how she was beginning to depend on him, drawing a good augury from this alteration in her character, and would no doubt have replied in exceedingly affectionate terms, but that he was interrupted by the opening of the drawing-room door, and entrance of a servant, who, in a matter-of-fact voice, announced a visitor—"Mr. Walters!"
Blanche turned white to her lips, and muttered rapidly, "Won't you stay, General? Do!"
But the General had already possessed himself of his hat, and, with an air of good-humoured confidence, that she felt did honour both to herself and him, took a courteous leave of his hostess, and gave a hearty greeting to the newcomer as they passed each other on the threshold.
"I think I've won the battle," muttered the old soldier, mounting his horse briskly in the street; "though I've left the enemy in possession of the ground!"