She refused to
receive her former friends, and even failed in loyalty to your father
in his time of trial. It is impossible now to fix the fault clearly,
or to account for her actions. Captain Nolan turned over all his
property to her, and the moment she could do so, she disappeared from
the fort, taking you with her. From that hour none of her old
acquaintances could learn anything regarding her whereabouts. She did
not return to her family in the East, nor correspond with any one in
the army. Probably, utterly broken-hearted, she sought seclusion in
some city. How Gillis obtained possession of you remains a mystery."
"Is that all?"
"Everything."
They kept silence for a long while, the slow tears dropping from her
eyes, her hands clasped in her lap. His heart, heavy with sympathy,
would not permit him to break in upon her deep sorrow with words of
comfort.
"Naida," he whispered, at last, "this may not be the time for me to
speak such words, but you are all alone now. Will you go back to
Bethune with me--back to the old regiment as my wife?"
A moment she bowed her head before him; then lifted it and held out her
hands.
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