disappearance of her husband. There was an odd silence for a moment:
then she spoke:

"Mr. Ross, do you know that gentleman?"

"I know who he is. Yes."

"Who is he, then?"

"He is your husband's new first lieutenant, Mrs. Rayner. That is Mr.
Hayne."

"_That!_--Mr. Hayne?" she exclaimed, growing suddenly pale.

"Certainly, madame. Had you never seen him before?"

"Never; and I expected--I didn't expect to see such a--" And she broke
short off, confused and plainly distressed, turned abruptly, and left
the hall as had her husband.




III.


The officers of Fort Warrener were assembled, as was the daily morning
custom, in the presence of the colonel commanding. It had long been the
practice of that veteran soldier to require all his commissioned
subordinates to put in an appearance at his office immediately after the