"No, we will not make the attempt; it would be deception, and could
bring us no honor. I am not too weak to earn my own living, and it
would be a disgrace to Charles Henry if I bought him off from his
duty. The world might then think he was a coward, and had not
courage enough to fight."

"Do you think it a disgrace for a man to be wanting in courage?"
said Anna Sophia, gazing at him as if her life depended upon his
answer.

"I think so," said he, calmly; "it is as bad for a man to be without
courage as for a woman to be without virtue."

Anna Sophia raised her dark, glowing eyes to heaven with an
expression of deep thankfulness. Then giving way to her emotion, she
threw her arms around the old shepherd, and, leaning her head upon
his shoulder, she wept bitterly. He did not disturb her, but pressed
her tenderly to his heart, and whispered occasionally a few loving,
consoling words. He believed he understood her sorrow; he thought he
knew the source of these tears. She was weeping because all hope of
preventing her betrothed from being a soldier was now gone.

"Weep no more, my child," said he, at last; "your eyes will be red;
it will sadden Charles Henry, and make it harder for him to say
good-by. See, there he comes to join us--do not weep, my child."

Anna raised her head and dried her eyes hastily. "I am not weeping,
father," said she. "I entreat you do not tell Charles Henry that I
have been crying--do not, if you love me. I will promise not to be