Instantly the little camp was astir, the men feeling the enthusiasm of their officers.  With preparations well in hand, Brant’s thoughts veered once again toward Naida—­he could not leave her, perhaps ride forth to death, without another effort to learn what was this impassable object between them.  He rode down to the Herndon house with grave face and sober thought.  If he could only understand this girl; if he could only once look into her heart, and know the meaning of her ever-changing actions, her puzzling words!  He felt convinced he had surprised the reflection of love within her eyes; but soon the reflection vanished.  The end was ever the same—­he only knew he loved her.

He recalled long the plainly furnished room into which Mrs. Herndon ushered him to await the girl’s appearance—­the formal look of the old-fashioned hair-cloth furniture, the prim striped paper on the walls, the green shades at the windows, the clean rag carpet on the floor.  The very stiffness chilled him, left him ill at ease.  To calm his spirit he walked to a window, and stood staring out into the warm sunlight.  Then he heard the rustle of Naida’s skirt and turned to meet her.  She was pale from her weeks of nursing, and agitated for fear of what this unexpected call might portend.  Yet to his thought she appeared calm, her manner restrained.  Nor could anything be kinder than her first greeting, the frankly extended hand, the words expressive of welcome.

“Mr. Wynkoop informed me a few minutes ago that you had at last received your orders for the north,” she said, her lips slightly trembling.  “I wondered if you would leave without a word of farewell.”

He bowed low.  “I do not understand how you could doubt, for I have shown my deep interest in you even from the first.  If I have lately seemed to avoid you, it has only been because I believed you wished it so.”

A slight flush tinged the pallor of her cheeks, while the long lashes drooped over the eyes, concealing their secrets.

“Life is not always as easy to live aright as it appears upon the surface,” she confessed.  “I am learning that I cannot always do just as I should like, but must content myself with the performance of duty.  Shall we not be seated?”

There was an embarrassing pause, as though neither knew how to get through the interview.

“No doubt you are rejoiced to be sent on active service again,” she said, at last.

“Yes, both as a soldier and as a man, Miss Naida.  I am glad to get into the field again with my regiment, to do my duty under the flag, and I am equally rejoiced to have something occur which will tend to divert my thoughts.  I had not intended to say anything of this kind, but now that I am with you I simply cannot restrain the words.  This past month has been, I believe, the hardest I have ever been compelled to live through.  You simply mystify me, so that I alternately hope and despair.  Your methods are cruel.”