She did not remember that the one lesson taught him from his very cradle had been that of self-pleasing.  She had carried out her imperious will where it had clashed with his, and had weakly compensated him by indulgence in the trifles that make up a child’s life.  She had never been controlled or made to yield to others in thoughtful consideration of their rights and feelings, and did not know how to instil the lesson; therefore—­so inconsistent is human nature—­when she saw him developing her own traits, she was troubled because his ambitions differed from her own.  Had his hopes and desires coincided with hers he would have been a model youth in her eyes, although never entertaining a thought beyond personal and family advantage.  Apparently there was a wider distinction between them, for she was capable of suffering and sacrifice for the South.  The possibilities of his nature were as yet unrevealed.

His course and spirit, however, set her at rest in regard to his visits to Marian Vosburgh, and she felt that there was scarcely the slightest danger that he would compromise himself by serious attentions to the daughter of an obscure American official.

Willard returned from his brief absence, and was surprised at his eager anticipation of another interview with Marian.  He called the morning after his arrival, and learning that she had just gone to witness a drill of Strahan’s company, he followed, and arrived almost as soon as she did at the ground set apart for military evolutions.

He was greeted by Marian in her old manner, and by Strahan in his off-hand way.  The young officer was at her side, and a number of ladies and gentlemen were present as spectators.  Merwyn took a camp-stool, sat a little apart, and nonchalantly lighted a cigar.

Suddenly there was a loud commotion in the guard-house, accompanied by oaths and the sound of a struggle.  Then a wild figure, armed with a knife, rushed toward Strahan, followed by a sergeant and two or three privates.  At a glance it was seen to be the form of a tall, powerful soldier, half-crazed with liquor.

“—­you!” exclaimed the man; “you ordered me to be tied up.  I’ll larn you that we ain’t down in Virginny yet!” and there was reckless murder in his bloodshot eyes.

Although at that moment unarmed, Strahan, without a second’s hesitation, sprung at the man’s throat and sought to catch his uplifted hand, but could not reach it.  The probabilities are that the young officer’s military career would have been ended in another second, had not Merwyn, without removing his cigar from his mouth, caught the uplifted arm and held it as in a vise.

“Stand back, Strahan,” he said, quietly; but the young fellow would not loosen his hold.  Therefore Merwyn, with his left hand upon the collar of the soldier, jerked him a yard away, and tripped him up so that he fell upon his face.  Twisting the fellow’s hands across his back, Merwyn said to the sergeant, “Now tie him at your leisure.”