"I do not trust myself, sir," I answered.
He rose, declaring it was past his hour for bed, and added some kind things which I shall cherish in my memory. As he was leaving he laid his hand on my shoulder.
"One word of advice, my lad," he said. "If by any chance your convictions are to come to your grandfather's ears, let him have them from your own lips." And he bade me good night.
The captain tarried but a moment longer.
"I have a notion who is to blame for this, Richard," he said. "When I come back from New York, we shall see what we shall see."
"I fear he is too slippery for a soldier to catch," I answered.
He went away to bed, telling me to be prudent, and mind the colonel's counsel until he returned from the North.
CHAPTER XIV
THE VOLTE COUPE
I was of a serious mind to take the advice. To prove this I called for my wrap-rascal and cane, and for a fellow with a flambeau to light me. But just then the party arrived from the assembly. I was tempted, and I sat down again in a corner of the room, resolved to keep a check upon myself, but to stay awhile.