hurch-parading, well-behaved
Folkestone, and kissed him nearly to death....
And can you believe a woman could be such a _fool_,
Ormonde--while carefully noting the '2 Q.G.'
on his shoulder-straps, I never thought to find out
his _alias_--for of course he hides his identity, thinking
as he does, poor darling boy, that he has brought
eternal disgrace on an honoured name--a name that
appears twice on the rolls of the V.C. records.

"Ormonde, were it not that it would _increase_ his
misery and agony of mind I would run away from
Monksmead, take a room near the Queen's Greys
barracks, and haunt the main gates until I saw him
again. He should then tell me how to communicate
with him, or I would hang about there till he did.
I'd marry him 'off the strength' and live (till I am
'of age') by needlework if he would have me.
But, of course, he'd _never_ understand that I'd be
happier, and a better woman, in a Shorncliffe
lodging, as a soldier's wife, than ever I shall be here
in this dreary Monksmead--until he is restored and
re-habilitated (is that the word? I mean--comes
into his own as a brave and noble gentleman who
never did a mean or cowardly action in his life).

"And he is _so_ thin and unhappy looking, Ormonde,
and his poor hands are in such a state
and his beautiful hair is all hacked about and done
like a soldier's, all short except for a long piece
brushed down his forehead and round to his cap--oh,
dreadful ... and he has a scar on his face!
No wonder Amelia never recognized him. Oh, _do_
help me, Ormonde. I _must_ find out how to address
him. I dare not let them know there is a _D. de
Warrenne_ in the regiment--and he'd never get it
either--he's probably Smith or Jones or Robinson
now. If some horrid Sergeant called out 'Trooper
D. de Warrenne,' when distributing letters, Dam
would never answer to the name he thinks he has
eternally disgraced, and disgrace it further by dragging
it in the mire of the ranks. How _can_ people
be such snobs? Isn't a good private a better man
than a bad officer? Why should there be any
'taint' about serving your country in any capacity?

"How _can_ I find him, Ormonde, unless you help
me? I could pay a servant to hang about the
barracks until he recognized Dam--but that would
be horrible for the poor boy. He'd deny it and say
the man was mad, I expect--and it would be most
unplea