She dreaded his man's judgment in this crisis.
"Now seriously, Elizabeth, don't you think I'd better keep away from him?
I can do nothing--" "Oh, how cowardly that would be!" she cried.

"How cowardly!" The old general winced at this.

He was far from being a coward, but appearances had their value in his eyes; and even, in its least serious aspect, young North's predicament was not pleasant to contemplate.
"But there is nothing I can do, Elizabeth; why should I become involved ?" he urged.
"Then you must go to him from me!" she cried.
"Child--child; what are you saying!" cried the general.
"Either you must go to him, or I shall go!" she said with fine firmness.
Her father groaned.
"Be frank with me, Elizabeth.

Has North ever told you that he cared for you ?" "Yes." "When ?" "Before he went away--I mean that last night he was here." "I feared as much!" he muttered.

"And you, dear ?" he continued gently.
"He said we might have to wait a long time--or I should have told you! He went away because he was too poor--" There was a pause.
"Do you care for him, Elizabeth ?" her father asked at length.