He went away because he was too poor--"

There was a pause.

"Do you care for him, Elizabeth?" her father asked at length. "Do you
wish me to understand that you are committed--are--"

"Yes," she answered quite simply.

"You are sure it is not just pity--you are sure, Elizabeth? For you
know, right or wrong, he will probably come out of this with his
reputation smirched."

"But he is _innocent_!"

"That is not quite the point!" urged the general. "We must see things as
they are. You must understand what it may mean to you in the future, to
have given your love to a man who has fallen under such suspicion. There
will always be those who will remember this against him."

"But _I_ shall know!" she said proudly.

"And that will be enough--you will ask no more than that, Elizabeth?"

"If my faith in him has never been shaken, could I ask more?"

He looked at her wistfully. Her courage he comprehended. It was fine and
true, like her sweet unspoiled youth; in its presence he felt a sudden
sense of age and loneliness. He asked himself, had he lived beyond his
own period of generous enthusiasm?