by the time Blenke could again see the phaeton it was
quietly descending the little ramp to the river bottom, and all seemed
well. Then Lieutenant Ray's horse was seen galloping away toward the
fort, and that was another reason why he, a poor private, should not
presume to intrude when an officer was presumably there. He went in
pursuit of the horse. Lieutenant Ray, he said, had never liked him,
while he, Blenke, could almost lay down his life to serve Lieutenant
Ray.

So Priscilla could say nothing but "Go and sin no more," and come back
to the choir, which Blenke promised faithfully to do.

Then Major Dwight was at last sufficiently recovered to be pronounced
convalescent, and there had been the meeting with his beloved boy, the
first few minutes of which had been witnessed only by Dr. Waring and
Mrs. Ray, who presently, reassured by his calm, withdrew and left father
and child together. It had been followed by a regular visit each day,
limited to less than an hour for the time being. There had been two
interviews, Dr. Waring only being present and that not all the time,
between Dwight and his wife. From both of these Inez came forth weeping
convulsively, to be comforted by Felicie--and a pint of Pommery Sec.
That something had been sent to the importunate Farrells the doctor had
knowledge, and that something had been said to their daughter to plunge
her in grief inexpressible the garrison was speedily informed. "She
should leave him, this angel," said Felicie, "but she is of a devotion,
my faith, the most incomparable--the most indomitable."

Then Dwight begged that Mrs. Ray should come to him, and there had been
a long talk, a reconciliation, an understanding that brought comfort to
his heart and rejoicing to hers, and then as convalescence advanced, and
his mind demanded food, Priscilla had come to read to him, and from
reading, first rather less than an hour, she was reading daily now as
much as two. It gave Madame a frightful _migraine_, said the explanatory
and fruitful Felicie, to read aloud at all.

But the projected alliance, the prospective friendship so desired by
Mrs. Dwight of the elder--the highly gifted--maid had progressed no
further. From the moment of their return from that memorable drive
neither party to the proposed arrangement again referred to it.
Priscilla, who preferred to call at any other house within the limits of
Minneconjou, was now a daily visitor. Sandy Ray, who found himself
longi