e been condemned--without mercy."

He raised his brows sharply. For a second he had the look of a man who
has been stabbed in the back. Then with a swift effort he pulled himself
together.

In the same moment Stella rose. She was smiling, and there was a red
flush in her cheeks. She took her fan from the table.

"And now," she said, "I am going to dance--all night long. Every officer
in the mess--save one--has asked me for a dance."

He was on his feet in an instant. He had checked one impulse, but even
to his endurance there were limits. He spoke as one goaded.

"Will you give me one?"

She looked him squarely in the eyes. "No, Captain Monck."

His dark face looked suddenly stubborn. "I don't often dance," he said.
"I wasn't going to dance to-night. But--I will have one--I must have
one--with you."

"Why?" Her question fell with a crystal clearness. There was something
of crystal hardness in her eyes.

But the man was undaunted. "Because you have wronged me, and you owe me
reparation."

"I--have wronged--you!" She spoke the words slowly, still looking him in
the eyes.

He made an abrupt gesture as of holding back some inner force that
strongly urged him. "I am not one of your persecutors," he said. "I have
never in my life presumed to judge you--far less condemn you."

His voice vibrated as though some emotion fought fiercely for the
mastery. They stood facing each other in what might have been open
antagonism but for that deep quiver in the man's voice.

Stella spoke after the lapse of seconds. She had begun to tremble.

"Then why--why did you let me think so? Why did you always stand aloof?"

There was a tremor in her voice also, but her eyes were shining with the
light half-eager, half-anxious, of one who seeks for buried treasure.

Monck's answer was pitched very low. It was as if the soul of him gave
utterance to the words. "It is my nature to stand aloof. I was waiting."

"Waiting?" Her two hands gripped suddenly hard upon her fan, but still
her shining eyes did not flinch from his. Still with a quivering heart
she searched.

Almost in a whisper came his reply. "I was waiting--till my turn should
come."

"Ah!" The fan snapped between her hands; she cast it from her with a
movement that was almost violent.

Monck drew back sharply. With a smile that was grimly cynical he veiled
his soul. "I was a fool, of course, and I am quite aware that my
foolishness is nothing to you. But at least you