"Thank you for your sympathy! I had a feeling that you would understand--that's why I told you. It's not a story that I often tell to strangers, as you may guess." "My, yes, I sympathise; I should just think I do. I know what even our own people suffer sometimes away out West; but I don't _understand_," said Cornelia, firmly. "I don't understand--one--little--bit! There's more to soldiering than riding through the streets, looking fine and large, and gotten up like a show. I love to see it. We profess to laugh at forms and ceremonies, but we love them just the same as anybody else, but it was your _country_ you'd promise to serve! For better or worse you allowed you were sworn to serve her. You had risked your life for her; I reckon you had shed your blood. There was just one thing you wouldn't sacrifice--your own pride! You were thinking of _yourself_ when you sent in that resignation, Captain Guest! You saw yourself sitting looking out of the window, and seeing the boys riding off to their sports, and leaving you behind. You cared more for that, than the thought that England might need you!" "You hit hard, Miss Briskett." "I hit straight. I know just how you've suffered. Seems to me I'm going to remember all my life how you sat in that ranch and heard the last post; but if I'd been in your place, if America had wanted me"--her small, white face lit up with a very ecstasy of emotion--"I'd have stayed at my post, _if I'd had to sweep the floors to do it_!" CHAPTER FIFTEEN. The moment of tension passed, and the strain relaxed. Captain Guest stoutly defended his position, and Cornelia vouchsafed a generous sympathy, while not budging an inch from her ultimate decision. She disapproved, but she had wept; the tears had rolled unchecked down her cheeks on his behalf. After that they could no longer be mere, casual acquaintances. By the end of the first hour they had left the personal element behind, and were chatting busily about a dozen varying subjects--the English landscape; Trusts; Free Trade; Miss Alice Roosevelt; chafing dishes, and the London season. Cornelia had a cut-and-dried opinion on each, and was satisfied that every one who did not agree with her was a "back number," but her arguments and illustrations were so apt and humorous, that Guest was abundantly entertained. Throughout the entire journey their _tete-a-tete_ was uninterrupted, for though several passengers approached the carriage with intent to enter, one and all followed the example of the stout lady, and dropped the handle at sight of the two occupants. The third time that this interesting little pantomime was enacted Cornelia laughed aloud, and cried serenely-- "Guess they think we're a honeymoon couple; they're so scared of getting in beside us!"