He also improved visibly in her vivacious society, and at last was able to come down to his meals and sit on the piazza.  Mrs. Barkdale’s and Roberta’s reserve thawed before his genial courtesy, and all the more readily since a letter had been received from Colonel Barkdale containing thanks to Lane for the consideration that had been shown to his family, and assuring his wife that the Barkdale mansion must not fail in hospitality either to loyal friends or to worthy foes.

Roberta was won over more completely than she had believed to be possible.  Her proud, high spirit was pleased with the fact that, while Lane abated not one jot of his well-defined loyalty to the North and its aims, he also treated her with respect and evident admiration in her fearless assertion of her views.  She also recognized his admirable tact in preventing their talk from verging towards a too-earnest discussion of their differences.  Suwanee was delighted as she saw him disarm her relatives, and was the life of their social hours.  She never wearied in delicately chaffing and bewildering the good-natured but rather matter-of-fact Surgeon McAllister, and it often cost Lane much effort to keep from exploding in laughter as he saw the perplexed and worried expression of his friend.  But before the meal was over she would always reassure her slow-witted guest by some unexpected burst of sunshine, and he afterwards would remark, in confidence:  “I say, Lane, that little ‘Missy S’wanee’ out-generals a fellow every time.  She attacks rear, flank, and front, all at once, and then she takes your sword in such a winsome way that you are rather glad to surrender.”

“Take care, McAllister,—­take care, or you may surrender more than your sword.”

“I think you are in the greater danger.”

“Oh, no, I’m forearmed, and Miss Suwanee and I understand each other.”

But he did not understand her, nor did she comprehend herself.  Her conversation seemed as open, and often as bright as her Southern sunshine, and his mind was cheered and delighted with it.  He did not disguise his frank, cordial regard for her, even before her mother and sister, but it was ever blended with such a sincere respect that she was touched and surprised by it, and they were reassured.  She had told them of the place possessed by Marian in his thoughts, and this fact, with his manner, promised immunity from all tendencies towards sentiment.  Indeed, that Suwanee should bestow anything more upon the Northern officer than kindness, a certain chivalric hospitality, and some admiration, was among the impossibilities in their minds.