"I was but a little girl when papa died, yet I can remember what a wrench it was. In losing your father—"
"I lost more than him."
"More!"
She looked up at him inquiringly; could he tell her all he had lost—his heritage—his grand old baronial home, a princely estate—even honour itself, for thus, in his over-sensitiveness, did Roland view the matter of the long-hidden will!
"If matters remain quiet here among the colonists, Miss Darnell, I mean to leave the regiment."
"Leave the Scots Royals—the Royal Regiment!" she exclaimed with surprise; "I thought it was the second home of your family; I have often heard you say so."
"It can no longer be mine."
"Why?"
"For reasons that I cannot tell—even to you."
"Ah, pardon me; but what do you mean to do?"