d enough of human nature to
realize what General Alexis must at this moment be enduring. The fate
of a people, of a nation, almost of half the world, in a measure rested
in his hands. How inadequate any mortal must feel in the face of such a
task!

By and by Mildred's eyes dropped their lids. She felt that she was
seeing too deeply into the holy of holies of the man before her. This
would not be just to any human being, unaware of her presence. If only
she could get away without disturbing him! Doubtless on discovering her
General Alexis would be angered, or at any rate annoyed, perhaps he
might even consider her behavior as characteristic American intrusion.

Once Mildred started to her feet, but she did not try to move again, for
at almost the same instant the Russian general rose from his knees.

His face had become a little less careworn than at the moment of his
entrance; his blue eyes, which were remarkable with his other Russian
coloring, were less sombre. Since he did not appear to observe her,
Mildred was glad for this last glance at her companion.

Since their one meeting for some reason he had haunted her thoughts more
than she could explain. This was partly due to the fact that he was so
much talked of at the fortress and so idolized by his soldiers. He was
said to be without fear, or any human weakness, but after today Mildred
Thornton knew better than this.

Unconsciously the girl must have moved or made a sound of some kind at
this instant, for General Alexis, who had almost reached the door,
turned quickly around. At the same time his right hand grasped his
pistol.

Was there a spy or an assassin lurking in his church to destroy him?
There were many men of other lands who would gladly give their lives for
his.

But General Alexis' hand dropped to his side again, as soon as it had
touched the metal of his pistol. To his surprise he had discovered a
pair of blue-gray eyes staring at him earnestly, with almost wistful
sympathy.

General Alexis came back to where Mildred stood.

"You were here in church with me and I did not see you," he said as
simply and naturally as an ordinary person, "I hope I did not disturb
you."

"_Disturb me!_" Mildred stuttered a little in her surprise at his
words. "Oh, I beg your pardon, it was I who should not have been here
when you came. But I did not know, that is I did not dream you ever
left the fort, while I like to steal in here during the hours I have
for r