"My only fear is for you," said my darling, nestling closer to me. "She comes of a family that can display most glorious indignation when there's a good excuse for it, and I can't bear to think of you being the cause of such an outbreak."
"I've faced the ugliest of guns in honor of one form of love, little girl," I replied, "and I could do even more for the sentiment for which you're to blame. And for my own sake, I'd rather endure anything than a sense of having deceived any one, especially the mother of such a daughter. Besides, you're her dearest treasure, and she has a right to know of even the least thing that in any way concerns you."
"And you're a noble fellow, and——" Whatever other sentiment my companion failed to put into words was impulsively and eloquently communicated by her dear eyes.
But oh, what a cowardly heart your dear cheek rested upon an instant later, fair Alice! Not for the first time in my life did I shrink and tremble at the realization of what duty imperatively required—not for the first time did I go through a harder battle than was ever fought with sword and cannon, and a battle with greater possibilities of danger than the field ever offered. I won it, as a man must do in such fights, if he deserves to live; but I could not help feeling considerably sobered on our homeward drive.
We neared the house, and I had an insane fancy that instead of driving two horses I was astride of one, with spurs at my heels and a saber at my side.
"Let me talk to her now, Alice, won't you? Delays are only cowardly."
A slight trembling at my side—an instant of silence that seemed an hour, yet within which I could count but six footfalls, and Alice replied:—
"Yes; if the parlor happens to be empty, I'll ask her if she won't go in and see you a moment." Then there came a look full of tenderness, wonder, painful solicitude, and then two dear eyes filled with tears.
"We're nearly there, darling," said I, with a reassuring embrace.
"Yes, and you sha'n't be the only hero," said she, straightening herself proudly, and looking a fit model for a Zenobia.