She laughed wildly, even gleefully, almost in the face of her companion.
"Nothing—nothing at all!" she cried.
"I am glad to have afforded you amusement, Mistress Fortune. You may tear my heart to shreds."
Her manner changed instantly. Tears flew to the blue eyes and her hand crept toward him.
"Forgive me, pray, Captain Studdiford, I—I did not mean to hurt you. I—I—am very foolish, very unkind. You must hate me," she faltered.
"Hate you! How could I? You do not love me—why should I have hoped? I can but blame myself." Her hand had fallen to her side because he had not touched it. "And it is our last afternoon together."
"Last?" she repeated, faintly.
"Yes; for I shall not see you again."
"Oh—you—you—do not mean that!"
"I have asked to be transferred to Willamsburg. I—I have not one friend in Jamestown; why should I stay here?" he cried bitterly.