"Preparing for war."
"It is useless. It is too late."
"Think so?"
"Yes. Everything has been settled, and in a very satisfactory manner—at least father is satisfied, and I suppose I ought to be."
She smiled and held out her hand to him.
"How can I ever thank you, cousin Elmer? You will not forget me when I am gone."
"Forget you, Alma! That was unkind."
He took her hand, glanced at the diamond ring upon her finger, and looking down upon her as she lay half reclining in the great chair, he said, with an effort, as if the words pained him:
"Alma, you have surrendered to him."
She looked up with a startled expression, and said: