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XXIV. The Same Night—The Fir Plantation

           Hewasasoldier.Hissuddenappearancewastodarknesswhatthesoundofatrumpetistosilence.Gloom,thegeniuslociatalltimeshitherto,wasnowtotallyoverthrown,lessbythelantern-lightthanbywhatthelanternlighted.Thecontrastofthisrevelationwithheranticipationsofsomesinisterfigureinsombregarbwassogreatthatithaduponhertheeffectofafairytransformation.

           Itwasimmediatelyapparentthatthemilitaryman’sspurhadbecomeentangledinthegimpwhichdecoratedtheskirtofherdress.Hecaughtaviewofherface.

           "I’llunfastenyouinonemoment,miss,"hesaid,withnew-borngallantry.

           "OhnoIcandoit,thankyou,"shehastilyreplied,andstoopedfortheperformance.

           Theunfasteningwasnotsuchatriflingaffair.Therowelofthespurhadsowounditselfamongthegimpcordsinthosefewmoments,thatseparationwaslikelytobeamatteroftime.

           Hetoostooped,andthelanternstandingonthegroundbetwixtthemthrewthegleamfromitsopensideamongthefir-treeneedlesandthebladesoflongdampgrasswiththeeffectofalargeglowworm.Itradiatedupwardsintotheirfaces,andsentoverhalftheplantationgiganticshadowsofbothmanandwoman,eachduskyshapebecomingdistortedandmangleduponthetree-trunkstillitwastedtonothing.

           Helookedhardintohereyeswhensheraisedthemforamoment;Bathshebalookeddownagain,forhisgazewastoostrongtobereceivedpoint-blankwithherown.Butshehadobliquelynoticedthathewasyoungandslim,andthatheworethreechevronsuponhissleeve.

           Bathshebapulledagain.

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