"Yes, you. You have your choice. I—I had nearly overcome dad's—objections to you."
"But, Nancy, do you mean to say that——"
"I can never marry a man who shrinks from his duty at such a time as this? Yes, I mean that."
"Nancy, you make it a choice between you and my conscience."
For a few seconds she looked at him without speaking. Her lips were quivering, and her hands were trembling. It was easy to see that she was greatly wrought upon.
"No, that is not the choice," she said, and her voice had a hard ring in it.
"What is it, then?"
"A choice between me and cowardice."
He staggered as if some one had struck him. "Do you mean that?" he asked hoarsely.
"Yes, I mean that."