The lover laughed the doctor's fears to scorn and the old man was brave and cheerful in the presence of youth and happiness.
James Pemberton followed him to the gate and held his horse's bridle with a tremor in his black hand.
"You don't think, doctor—" he paused, afraid to say the thing—"you don't think my young mistis gwine ter die?"
"She's very ill, Jim—it's an even fight for life."
"Ef she do—hit'll kill my young marster—"
"Soldiers can't die that way—no—"
"Yassah—but dey ain't been married but three months, sah, an' he des worship de very groun' her little foot walks on—she des can't die—she too young an' putty, sah—hit des natchally can't be—"
The doctor's gray head slowly moved as if in remembrance of tragic scenes.
"Death loves a shining mark sometimes!"