The old men bent to each other; there were tears in their eyes. Without

speaking, they were aware of kindness and faithfulness and gratitude

beyond the power of words. They smoked a pipe together, and sometimes

changed glances and smiles, as they looked at, or listened to, Lysbet

and Janet Semple, who had renewed their long kindness in the sympathy of

their patriotic hopes and fears.

Hyde and Katherine were walking in the garden, lingering in the sweet

June twilight by the lilac hedge and the river-bank. All Hyde's business

was arranged: he was going into the fight without any anxiety beyond

such as was natural to the circumstances. While he was away, his wife

and son were to remain with Lysbet. He could desire no better home for

them; their lives would be so quiet and orderly that he could almost

tell what they would be doing at every hour. And while he was in the din

and danger of siege and battle, he felt that it would be restful to

think of Katherine in the still, fair rooms and the sweet garden of her

first home.

If he never came back, ample provision had been made for his wife and

son's welfare; but--and he suddenly turned to Katherine, as if she had

been conscious of his thoughts--"The war will not last very long, dear

heart; and when liberty is won, and the foundation for a great

commonwealth laid, why then we will buy a large estate somewhere upon

the banks of this beautiful river. It will be delightful, in the midst

of trees and parks, to build a grander Hyde Manor House. Most

completely we will furnish it, in all respects; and the gardens you

shall make at your own will and discretion. A hundred years after this,

your descendants shall wander among the treillages and cut hedges

and boxed walks, and say, 'What a sweet taste our dear

great-great-grandmother had!'"

And Katharine laughed at his merry talk and forecasting, and praised his

uniform, and told him how soldierly and handsome he looked in it. And

she touched his sword, and asked, "Is it the old sword, my Richard?"

"The old sword, Kate, my sweet. With it I won my wife. Oh, indeed, yes!

You know it was pity for my sufferings made you marry me that blessed

October day, when I could not stand up beside you. It has a fight twice

worthy of its keen edge now." He drew it partially from its sheath, and

mused a moment. Then he slowly untwisted the ribbon and tassel of

bullion at the hilt, and gave it into her hand. "I have a better

hilt-ribbon than that," he said; "and when we go into the house, I will

re-trim my sword."




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