"I'm glad of that. Now remember, when anything goes wrong, tell me. Perhaps I can help you—at least I can try."
Half-way across the parade-ground he turned back to smile at her as she stood at the window, and she waved a friendly hand in response. It was at this unlucky moment that the Lieutenant left the offices, having had high words with the Captain about the condition of the garrison and the possibility of a war with England.
She was vaguely uneasy when he went out of his way to meet the Doctor, but, though he spoke to him, he paused for scarcely an instant in his rapid stride. He was pleasant enough when he came into the house, and she thought that all was well.
He made no reference to their earlier conversation, but talked easily and indifferently, with a mild desire to please, as is the way of a man who is ashamed of himself.
"Wouldn't you like to go across the river?" he asked.
"Why, yes," she replied wonderingly, "I don't mind."
"Come on, then."
His dark, handsome face was still pale, and the lines of weakness were distinct around his mouth, but Katherine's heart, leaping to meet its desire, turned newly toward him, as a flower lifts its face to the sun.
"Poor boy," she said affectionately, putting her hand on his arm, "you have lots of things to bother you, don't you?"