"I greatly wonder you were permitted to go there at all."

"The Major did object. He insisted it was no fit place for me, and that
I ran the risk of contracting disease. But I generally have my own way,
even with him, and in this case I felt it a duty to my country, and
that I was right in my decision."

I remained silent, striving vainly to frame some innocent question
which should solve for me the problem of who and what she was. Suddenly
she spoke softly:

"Captain Wayne, I feel I owe you an apology for my unwarranted and
unladylike conduct last night. I am very sure now that you are a
gentleman, and will appreciate how bitterly I was tried, how deeply I
have ever since regretted it."

It hurt her pride to say even this much, as I could tell by her
downcast eyes and heaving bosom, and I hastened to relieve her
embarrassment.

"You have nothing whatever to ask forgiveness for," I said earnestly.
"Rather such a request should come from me. I only trust, Miss Brennan,
that you will excuse my part in this extremely unfortunate affair."

She sat looking down upon her plate, her fingers nervously crumbling a
bit of corn bread.

"You do not even know who I am," she said slowly. "I am not Miss, but
Mrs. Brennan."