enough to commence housekeeping? Is this a time to marry and build a
nest, when war, misery, and ruin are raging throughout the country?
No, no! Charles Henry, we cannot marry now."

"Because you do not wish it, Anna. But it shall be, for I have your
promise, and you must keep it. Ah, Anna Sophia, you do not know what
a longing I have to call you my wife!"

"But I have no such longing," said she, drily; "no desire whatever
to marry; and I will tell you, that though you wish to marry to-day,
it is not out of love for me, but to save yourself."

His eyes sunk before the large, searching ones fixed upon him.

"To save myself, and from what, Anna Sophia?"

"From being a soldier, Charles Henry! For last evening, I read upon
your countenance that you were devoid of courage."

"You read that?"

"Yes, Charles Henry, fear was stamped upon your brow."

"Well, then," said he, after a pause, "you have read aright. I have
no courage, I fear for myself. I am not accustomed to stand still,
while some one is pointing his gun at me, and to cry, 'Long live the
king!' when the cannon-balls are flying around me; to attack men who
have done me no harm, and to whom I wish to do none. When I think
upon the possibility of my being compelled to do this. I tremble,
and my heart ceases to beat. Do not require it of me, Anna, for if I