all to myself. This," continued the villain, "is the object with which
I have called upon her"--

"And paid a visit to church for the first time in your life," said
Bell, laughing; "but," he resumed, "it is not necessary for you to
wish the husband dead--why not proceed to work at once?"

"Well, so I would, but she is so very particular, that on the
slightest suspicion she would take the alarm and communicate to her
husband the fact of my having renewed my acquaintance with her, which
would, perhaps, bring him home on furlough."

"Nonsense," replied his friend, "the secessionists need every man to
assist them in driving back McDowell, and there is no chance of any
furloughs being granted; besides which, we are on the eve of a great
battle, and for any of the men to ask for a furlough would lay him
open to the charge of cowardice."

"That may be all true," said Horace, "but I shall not venture on
anything more as yet. As far as I have gone, she believes me actuated
by no other motives than the remembrance of my former affection for
her, and, with that belief, places implicit trust in me."

The conversation was here interrupted by the appearance of two
waiters, one carrying a waiter filled with different descriptions of
food, and the other a small basket containing six bottles of
champagne. After setting them on a table, Horace inquired what the
charges were.

"Twelve dollars, sah," was the reply.