The younger Cary was thinking, "Now if I were Ludwell, I'd accept this with simplicity, since, damn him, in this the man's sincere." He looked at the toe of his boot, swallowed hard, and then faced Rand with a sudden, transfiguring brightness of mien.

"I thank you, Mr.Rand.Miss Dandridge is an angel, and I'm the happiest of men.

Will you tell Mrs.Rand so, with my best regards ?" He hesitated a moment, then went on: "No sign of rain! This weather is calamitous! I hope that Roselands has not suffered as Greenwood has done ?" "But it has," said Rand, with a smile.

"The corn is all burned, and the entire state will make but little tobacco this year.

Miss Dandridge is better than an angel; she's a very noble woman--I wish you both long life and happiness!" They said no more, but mounted the remaining steps to the level above.
Fairfax Cary joined the two Churchills and their friends, while Rand, after a just perceptible hesitation, entered the small room where the postmaster was filling, with great leisureliness, the leather mail-bag.
Besides himself there was no other there; even the window gave not upon the porch, but on a quiet, tangled garden.