extraordinary time, when everybody is sensitive and excited."

"It is so always and everywhere," I replied. "You may never study life
as you study nature. With men you must take your choice: liberty for
your mind and a prison for your body; liberty for your body and a
prison for your mind. Nearly all people choose the latter; we know
what becomes of the few who do not."

But this reference to the times led us to speak slowly and solemnly of
what all men now are speaking--war that must come between the North and
the South. We agreed that it would come from each side as a blazing
torch to Kentucky, which lies between the two and is divided between
the two in love and hate--to Kentucky, where the ideal of a soldier's
life is always the ideal of a man's duty and utmost glory.

At last I felt that my time had come.

"Georgiana," I said, "there is one secret I have never shared with you.
It is the only fear I have ever felt regarding our future. But, if
there should be a war--you'd better know it now--leave you or not leave
you, I am going to join the army."

She grew white and faint with the thought of a day to come. But at
last she said:

"Yes; you must go."

"I know one thing," I added, after a long silence; "if I could do my
whole duty as a Kentuckian--as an American citizen--as a human being--I
should have to fight on both sides."