nor could I — nor can I yet understand� . Do you think I loved you even then? Not knowing that I loved you?”

“How could you love me then?”

“God knows� . And afterward, on the rock in the moonlight — as you lay there asleep — oh, I knew not what so moved me to leave you my message and a wild-rose lying there� . It was my destiny — my destiny! I seemed to fathom it� . For when you spoke to me on the parade at the Middle Fort, such a thrill of happiness possessed me — — ”

“You rebuked and rebuked me, sweeting!”

“Because all my solicitude was for you, and how it might disgrace you.”

“I could have knelt there at your ragged feet, in sight of all the fort!”