"I'll bet it's about Hayne," was the apparently unanimous sentiment as the cavalry party broke up and scattered for the morning's duties. Some waited purposely to hear.
The adjutant alone stood in the colonel's presence as Blake knocked and entered. All others had gone. There was a moment's hesitation, and the colonel paused and looked his man over before he spoke:
"You will excuse my sending for you, Mr. Blake, when I tell you that it is a matter that has to be decided at once. In this case you will consider, too, that I want you to say yes or no exactly as you would to a comrade of your own grade. If you were asked to meet Mr. Hayne at any other house in the garrison than mine, would you desire to accept? You are aware of all the circumstances, the adjutant tells me."
"I am, sir, and have just announced my intention of calling upon him."
"Then will you dine with us this evening to meet Mr. Hayne?"
"I will do so with pleasure, sir."
It could hardly have been an hour afterwards when Mrs. Rayner entered the library in her cosey home and found Miss Travers entertaining herself with a book.
"Have you written to Mr. Van Antwerp this morning?" she asked. "I thought that was what you came here for."
"I did mean to, but Mrs. Waldron has been here, and I was interrupted."