"That is all right! Reverence him as much as you please; but don't go too near the old lion in his present mood. Come and sit down on the sofa by me, sister, and let us have a pleasant talk--"
"Well, then, Cora, dear sister, a cozy, confidential talk. Do you know we have not had one for years and years and years?"
They sat down side by side holding each other's hands in silence for a little while, when Cora said:
"Do you think you will graduate next year, Sylvan?"
"And then you will come home for a long visit."
"Well, afterward I shall be ordered out to 'The Devil's Icy Peak.'"
"That was Aunt Cassy's name for all remote parts, you know. 'Devil's Icy Peak,' which in my destination means some remote frontier fort, among hostile Indians, border ruffians, grizzly bears, buffaloes, rattlesnakes, mosquitoes, malaria, and other wild beasts. There is where they send all the new-fledged military officers from West Point, and there they may spend the best part of their lives," said Sylvan.
"Unless they have influence with the higher authorities. If they have such influence, they may be sent to choice posts near the great cities, in reach of all the best society, best libraries, and all the luxuries and advantages of the highest civilization."
"Yes, I know; but--" said the young cadet, hesitatingly.
"You, or rather our grandfather, has influence enough to have you ordered to Washington, New York, Portsmouth--any place."
"Cora, our grandfather's influence is that of wealth--great wealth--and it is a mighty power in this world at this age; but, you see, Aaron Rockharrt would not use it in such a way. He would not consider it honest to do so. Nor would I have it either. No; since the government has given me a free military education, I think it my duty to go exactly wherever they may order me, without attempting to evade orders through the influence of friends or money."
"You are entirely right, dear brother. And I tell you this: Though I must and will remain with my grandfather so long as he shall need me--so long as he shall live--yet, when he departs, if you should be stationed at one of those border posts, I will go out and join you, Sylvan," said Cora Rothsay, taking both his hands and pressing them warmly.