ncredible that he should
ever be annoyed with such trifling concerns.

"Just as you wish," Mildred answered quietly, yet with greater personal
dignity than any one of the other American Red Cross girls could have
summoned. "We have done our best to help with the nursing. If we have
failed it is, of course, wisest that we should return to Petrograd.
Afterwards we can go home to the United States."

"Failed in your nursing? And it is for that reason you believe I wish to
have you sent away from my fortress?"

Actually General Alexis stopped in his walk and faced his companion,
since Mildred was, of course, obliged to stop also.

"That is folly. I know nothing of your nursing. But from your face, from
a something, a serenity and strength that your presence suggests, I feel
that you must understand and love your profession."

General Alexis was now studying Mildred Thornton with surprising
intentness, as though he were trying in this moment of their
acquaintance to pierce beneath the surface of the girl before him. This
was characteristic of the man. No human being was ever too small or too
unimportant for his consideration. He was a strange combination: a great
soldier and yet one of the gentlest of men.

"I want you to go back to Petrograd because I fear for your safety and
the safety of your friends should you remain much longer at Grovno," he
continued. "It is of this fact you are not to speak. I have reason to
know that at almost any hour in the next few days we may expect the
German attack. Grovno will resist to the uttermost. But it may be that
the old fortifications are not so invincible as we once thought them to
be. A new war has brought a new world and the old order changeth."

Once again Mildred saw beneath the outer surface of the man, but almost
at once he was again the soldier.

"You understand that I do not expect this. If I decide it may be wiser
to retreat, it will only be to form a conjunction with another part of
Grand Duke Nicholas' army. But in any case I should prefer to have you
three American nurses away from all possible danger. The Russian nurses
will share the fate of their own soldiers. Be prepared to leave within a
few days. When the necessary arrangements are made you will receive
instructions."

Then before Mildred could protest, and she had scarcely the courage for
this, they had reached the gate of the fortress.

Here General Alexis bowed and waited for his guard to come up with