YOU being the cause of such an outbreak."

"I've faced the ugliest of guns in honor of one form of love,
little girl," I replied, "and I could do even more for the
sentiment for which YOU'RE to blame. And for my own sake, I'd
rather endure anything than a sense of having deceived any one,
especially the mother of such a daughter. Besides, you're her
dearest treasure, and she has a right to know of even the least
thing that in any way concerns you."

"And you're a noble fellow, and--" Whatever other sentiment my
companion failed to put into words was impulsively and eloquently
communicated by her dear eyes.

But oh, what a cowardly heart your dear cheek rested upon an
instant later, fair Alice! Not for the first time in my life did I
shrink and tremble at the realization of what duty imperatively
required--not for the first time did I go through a harder battle
than was ever fought with sword and cannon, and a battle with
greater possibilities of danger than the field ever offered. I won
it, as a man must do in such fights, if he deserves to live; but I
could not help feeling considerably sobered on our homeward drive.

We neared the house, and I had an insane fancy that instead of
driving two horses I was astride of one, with spurs at my heels
and a saber at my side.

"Let me talk to her NOW, Alice, won't you? Delays are only
cowardly."