"Mad Margaret was there, too, sir--she was havin' one of her spells." "Well," said the Lieutenant, sharply, "what of it?" "Nothing, sir--excuse me, sir." The soldier saluted and went away. The night wind died down and the sun rose in a fury of heat. No clouds softened the hard, metallic sky--it was like a concave mirror on which the sun beat pitilessly. The guard was changed, and presently Doctor Norton came out on the parade-ground. When he saw who was there, he turned to go back, then waited, for the Lieutenant was coming swiftly toward him. They faced each other for a moment, like adversaries measuring the opposing strength, then Norton smiled. "Well?" he asked calmly. "I have not come to you," said the Lieutenant, thickly, "as you have doubtless expected me to. We have no time to cherish any sort of a grudge when, in two days at least, we start for Fort Wayne. You know what awaits us on the way, and if worst comes to worst, and I can no longer protect her, I ask you to make Mrs. Howard your especial care." Schooled as he was in self-control, the Doctor started, and the expression of his face changed as he looked keenly at the Lieutenant. "What!" cried the other, scornfully, "are you not willing to do that much for her?" "Lieutenant Howard, as you say, it is no time to cherish a grudge. What you have asked of me would be an honour at any time, but I will not accept the trust until you know from me how I stand. I love your wife with all my heart and soul." "Have you told her so?" asked Howard, quickly. "In words, no--but I think she understands--in fact, I hope and believe that she understands." The silence was tense, and Lieutenant Howard gnawed his mustache nervously. His hand went to his belt instinctively, then dropped to his side. "I fear you have misjudged her," the Doctor continued. "A purer, truer woman never drew the breath of life. In word or act or thought she has never been disloyal to you. I said a moment ago that I loved her, but it is more than that--it is the worship that a man gives to a woman as far above him as the stars." "In that case," said Howard, in a hoarse whisper, "you are well fitted to protect her." "You still offer me that trust?" asked the other, eagerly. The answer was scarcely audible. "I do." Their eyes met in a long look of keen scrutiny on one side, and of fearless honesty upon the other. Then Norton extended his hand. The Lieutenant grasped it, caught his breath quickly, then turned away, for once the master of himself. Beatrice came out of the Captain's house and smiled at him as he stood there with his head bowed. "You're--you're out early," he said, with an effort.