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Updated: June 3, 2025
One chilly, stormy evening, when nature was in a most uncomfortable mood, a card was brought to the door of Hilland's rooms at their inn just as he, with his wife and the major, was sitting down to one of those exquisite little dinners which only Grace knew how to order. Hilland glanced at the card, and gave such a shout that the waiter nearly fell over backward. "Where is the gentleman?
"What right have you to preach caution," continued Hilland, "when you went far enough to be struck by half a dozen bullets?" "The right of a retreat which scarcely slackened until I was under my aunt's roof." "Come, Graham, you are tantalizing us," said Hilland, impatiently. "There, forgive me, old fellow.
As long as there had been a gleam of hope that Hilland had escaped with the rest, Graham had been almost beside himself in his feverish impatience. He now rode to where the two colonels were standing, and the senior began rapidly, "Major Graham, we sympathize with you deeply.
Her joyousness had seemed to him a characteristic trait, and so it was, but he could not know how greatly it was enhanced by a cause that would have led to very different action on his part. Hilland had decided that he would not write to his friend concerning his suit until his fate was decided in one way or the other.
The daily journals teemed with subjects of interest, and with their aid he planned innumerable campaigns. Military men were coming and going, and with these young officers the veteran was an oracle. He gave Hilland much shrewd advice; and even when it was not good, it was listened to with deference, and so the result was just as agreeable to the major.
If you had not appeared on the scene my reason would have approved of my marriage with Miss St. John that is, if I had seen the slightest chance of acceptance, which, of course, I never have. I should be an egregious fool were it otherwise." "How about your heart?" "The heart often leads to the sheerest folly," was the sharp rejoinder. Hilland laughed in his good-humored way.
Hilland had no misgivings, and she suggested none; but whenever she was in the presence of Graham or Mrs. Mayburn, although their courtesy and kind manner were unexceptionable, she felt there was "something in the air." The heat continued so oppressive that the major gave signs of prostration, and Grace decided to take him to his old haunt by the seashore.
She would have known too well had she heard poor Graham mutter: "My will must be made of Bessemer steel if I can see her often as she looked to-night and live." In the evening Hilland walked over to call on his friend and make inquiries. Through the parlor windows he saw Graham reading to his aunt, who reclined on a lounge; and he stole away again without disturbing them.
But for Graham there was no God; and it must be said that this was becoming true of Grace also. As Hilland had feared, the influence of those she loved and trusted most had gradually sapped her faith, which in her case had been more a cherished tradition, received from her mother, than a vital experience.
Never had Grace looked so radiantly beautiful as when in the brilliant sunshine of a Washington winter and in the frosty air she galloped over the smooth, hard roads. Hilland was proud of the almost wondering looks of admiration that everywhere greeted her, and too much in love to note that the ladies they met looked at him in much the same way.
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