"Yes."

"Perhaps you do not realize how different it will all be from out here
alone together."

"Why should it be different?"

"I shall be again a soldier in the ranks, under orders, and you Major
McDonald's daughter."

"But--but--" her eyes full of appeal.

"No, little girl," he explained quickly, reaching up and touching her
gently; "we are never going to say anything about that to those down
there--his comrades in arms. It is going to be our secret. I am glad
you told me; it has brought us together as, perhaps, nothing else
could, but there is no reason why the world should ever know. Let them
think he died defending his trust. Perhaps he did; what you overheard
might have been said for a purpose, but, even if it were true, he had
been driven to it by a merciless woman. It is ours to defend, not
blacken his memory."

She bent slowly down until her cheek touched his.

"I--I thought you would say that," she returned slowly, "but what else
you said is not so--there will never again be a barrier of rank between
us." She straightened in the saddle, looking down into his eyes.
"Whoever the officer may be in command of that detachment, I want you
to tell him all."