sting his position in
the ranks would be sufficient barrier to prevent any chance meeting,
and believing his stay at that garrison would be only a brief one.
Sheridan was evidently preparing for an early offensive campaign, and
it was rumored on all sides that the Seventh Cavalry had been selected
for active field service. Indeed, the urgent orders for the
consolidation of the regiment from scattered posts must mean this. Any
day might bring orders, and he could easily avoid this Mrs. Dupont
until then. Except for a faint curiosity, the Sergeant felt no
inclination to meet the woman. Whatever influence she might have once
exercised over him had been thoroughly overcome by years and absence.
Even the unexpected sight of her again--seemingly as beautiful as
ever--had failed to awaken the spell of the past. It was almost with a
thrill of delight that Hamlin realized this--that he was in truth
utterly free of her influence. There had been times when he had
anticipated such a possible meeting with dread; when he had doubted his
own heart, the strength of his will to resist. But now he knew he
stood absolutely independent and could laugh at her wiles. She who had
once been all--trusted, loved, worshipped with all the mad fervor of
youth--had become only a dead memory. Between them stretched a chasm
never to be bridged.

What could the woman possibly want of him? To explain the past? To
justify herself? He knew enough already, and desired to know no more.
Could she hope--natural coquette that she was--to regain her hold upon
him? The man smiled grimly, confident of his own strength. Yet why
should she care for such a conquest, the winning of a common soldier?
There must be some better reason, some more subtle purpose. Could it
be that she feared him, that she was afraid that he might speak to her
injury? This was by far the most likely supposition. Molly
McDonald--the woman was aware of their acquaintance, and was already
alarmed at its possible result.

Hamlin stood up resolved. He would meet the woman, not from any desire
of his own, but to learn her purpose, and protect the girl. The
meeting could not injure him, not even bring a swifter beating of the
heart, but might give him opportunity to serve the other. And Le
Fevre--surely she could tell him something of Le Fevre.

Leave was easily obtained, and the Sergeant, rejoicing in a freshly
issued uniform, dressed with all the care possible, his interes