to the beauty of her slender figure. Now, indeed, I could see that
she was not ugly, though she had done her best to render herself
unattractive. It is true her features were sharp and irregular,
but neither rude nor coarse. In her face there was an expression of
haughtiness and firmness, that spoke loudly of conscientious strength
and independent character. It was clear that she had struggled and
suffered a good deal, without allowing it to rob her of her natural
cheerfulness and good spirits. Her large blue eyes expressed an
open-heartedness which inspired confidence. That they could gleam
with indignation, or glow with enthusiasm, I had already experienced.

She walked along with considerable difficulty, for her dress caused
her to trip at almost every step. I offered her my arm, but she
refused it. Suddenly she stood quite still and said--

"Forgive me, Leo, for the unmerciful way in which I laughed at you,
when I saw the 'mess' your driver had brought you into. I was not
laughing at you personally; but I am always so tickled when I see
the so-called 'lords of creation' making themselves ridiculous,
that I could not restrain my laughter."

"Oh, I bear you no malice, Francis, on that account; but how is it
you are so embittered against my sex?"

"Major Frank," she answered, "has but too often had occasion to study
the character of men."

"That is to say, that after over-confidence in the brilliant uniforms
which have proved deceptive, Major Frank has decided to revenge
herself on civilians as well as military men."

"You are quite mistaken. Major Frank is acquainted with all the
ranks from corporal to general; and in civil life she has had an
opportunity of studying men wearing court dress, decorations, and
orders. And this is the conclusion she has come to: that discipline
is the best means of bringing out whatever good there is in a man,
whilst at the same time it keeps the evil within bounds."

"What you say is not very encouraging for your future husband,
Francis."

"My future husband!" she cried, with a bitter laugh. "Now I see you
are a perfect stranger in these parts, Leopold. But you need not
trouble yourself about me; I shall never marry."

"Who knows? Circumstances may induce----"

"Me to take a husband," she interrupted, growing indignant. "Listen,
Leo: you know nothing about me, and what you think you know will have
been told you by slanderous tongues. Therefore I will not take offence
at wh