“Do you bring news of my brother?” asked Miss Hayward.
“No! His disappearance is very strange. But I came to speak of myself.”
“What would you say?”
“This, Miss Hayward. I have loved you long and dearly. To-morrow we may be parted, and I would ask you, should the fortunes, or rather the misfortunes, of war deprive you of a brother’s love and protection, will you not permit me to seek you out and become your future protector?”
“Captain Walker, these words surprise me, and I think propriety demanded that they should have been spoken in the presence of my brother.”
“Pardon me, dear lady. I have waited until this hour for your brother’s return, and at last, fearing I should have no other opportunity, I ventured to visit you now. You have a friend and sister in Alibamo, and surely you will not fear to speak before her.”
“I can not answer your question—it refers to the future.”
“Then for the present. Let me speak plainly, and I beg you will do the same. Can you not at least regard me now as your friend and protector, and give me a friend’s privileges?”
The timid girl turned toward Alibamo, and in an inaudible voice, spoke a word.
“She answers promptly, no!” replied Alibamo, somewhat sterner than was her usual manner.