"That's probably the beginning," he added in a moment, extending
both hands to her. "Good bye. I must hurry to the fort. Good bye."
She drew a quick breath and turned so white that her look struck
him like a sudden and hard blow. He stood for a second, his arms
at full reach, then:
"My God, Alice, I cannot, cannot leave you!" he cried, his voice
again breaking huskily.
She made a little movement, as if to take hold of his hands: but
in an instant she stepped back a pace and said;
"Don't fear about me. I can take care of myself. I'm all right.
You'd better return to the fort as quickly as you can. It is your
country, your flag, not me, that you must think of now."
She folded her arms and stood boldly erect.
Never before, in all his life, had he felt such a rebuke. He gave
her a straight, strong look in the eyes.
"You are right, Alice." he cried, and rushed from the house to the
fort.
She held her rigid attitude for a little while after she heard him
shut the front gate of the yard so forcibly that it broke in
pieces, then she flung her arms wide, as if to clasp something,
and ran to the door; but Beverley was out of sight. She turned and
dropped into a chair. Jean came to her out of the next room. His
queer little face was pale and pinched; but his jaw was set with
the expression of one who has known danger and can meet it
somehow.
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