regret at leaving the country without first seeing her happy. For some time I could contrive to say nothing else, except a fragment or two more to the same effect.

She then asked me, with composure rather than with coldness, "whether this was the affair of life and death' that I had to communicate?"

I told her that it was, and then, seizing the opportunity, I said-all that I had ever dreamed of saying, far more than I had any right to say, with a sincerity and emotion which took the place of eloquence.

At first she listened with such an expression of face as she might have worn while hearing a patient relate a tale of misery in which she had no direct concern, but gradually a few gleams of sympathy stole into her countenance, and at length, in spite of

great efforts to control herself, she burst into tears.

Then, to confess the truth, I caught her in my arms. She immediately commanded me to release her; after which, regarding me with steadiness, but with a burning cheek, she said, "You forget who I am, Captain Allen."

I observed, sadly, "I wish I could forget who you are, or whose you are." But I begged her to forgive me for the transport into which my feelings had betrayed me. "You'd better say no more about it," said Helena. "And pray," she added, "think no more about me. Everything

that is, is for the best.""

Seeing that I did not endorse these sentiments, she repeated, "Everything."

To which I dissented, saying, in the same manner, "Nothing."

She then went on: "I am very sorry in

It was

deed that I allowed you to see me. very foolish, most dreadfully weak; for it has only made you unhappy. I hope you'll occupy yourself with your profession, and -and think of nothing else." With this, she began to move towards the door, at the same time covering her face with her hands.

I implored her to remain, and, being in despair, exclaimed, "Oh, to think of such needless misery! That you should make yourself a slave and a martyr for the sake of such a man

Helena immediately turned back, and, uncovering her face, looked fixedly at

me.

Avoiding her gaze, I added, "I wish he was dead, with all my soul!"

Upon which she at once came up to me

VOL. II.

I

and said, with most unmistakable displeasure, "Retract that instantly, sir! Retract you have said!"

what

I obeyed her; and before I could recover from the rebuke, she had left me.

CHAPTER XII.

WHEN I returned to headquarters I was in a very singular frame of mind, and though not precisely in a state of desperation, I was just in the mood to engage in anything that was desperate. At the C

railway station I was met by my servant, who told me "that there was a row about the forage, and the colonel was asking for the captain of the week." Instead of expressing impatience or regret at this intelligence, which officially concerned me, I laughed aloud; and then, having driven up to the barracks at a leisurely pace, put on my uniform and walked