shall not offend again," and as he spoke he parted the hair from her
forehead and pressed a kiss upon her lips.

"I forgive you for this time," she answered, playfully tapping him on
the shoulder with her fan; "but the next offence I will not be so
likely to excuse."

"I will take good care not to offend again, then," he laughingly said.

The conversation continued for some time in this light way, which
lovers will sometimes indulge in, when, assuming a serious
countenance, she spoke to him:

"When does your regiment leave for Virginia?"

"I hardly know," he replied, "if it will go to Virginia at all. The
Colonel informs me that it is likely the regiment will be sent to
Tennessee; so if it is sent there, I will be nearer than you thought."

"What a horrid thing war is!" she said, without appearing to notice
his last remarks.

"You are not inclined to show the white feather now, are you?" he
said, laughing.

Her bright blue eyes sparkled for a moment, as if repudiating the
question; then lowering them she answered: "No, indeed. I would not
have a single one that I love remain at home while the Abolitionists
are invading our homes."