'

Anne could not contest this belief of her lover's, and remained silent;
but there had more than once occurred to her mind a doubt of its
probability. Yet she had only abandoned her opinion that John had
schemed for Matilda, to embrace the opposite error; that, finding he had
wronged the young lady, he had pitied and grown to love her.

'And yet Jack, when he was a boy, was the simplest fellow alive,' resumed
Bob. 'By George, though, I should have been hot against him for such a
trick, if in losing her I hadn't found a better! But she'll never come
down to him in the world: she has high notions now. I am afraid he's
doomed to sigh in vain!'

Though Bob regretted this possibility, the feeling was not reciprocated
by Anne. It was true that she knew nothing of Matilda's temporary
treachery, and that she disbelieved the story of her lack of virtue; but
she did not like the woman. 'Perhaps it will not matter if he is doomed
to sigh in vain,' she said. 'But I owe him no ill-will. I have profited
by his doings, incomprehensible as they are.' And she bent her fair eyes
on Bob and smiled.

Bob looked dubious. 'He thinks he has affronted me, now I have seen
through him, and that I shall be against meeting him. But, of course, I
am not so touchy. I can stand a practical joke, as can any man who has
been afloat. I'll call and see him, and tell him so.'

Before he started, Bob bethought him of something which would still
further prove to the misapprehending John that he was entirely forgiven.
He went to his room, and took from his chest a packet containing a lock
of Miss Johnson's hair, which she had given him during their brief
acquaintance, and which till now he had quite forgotten. When, at
starting, he wished Anne goodbye, it was accompanied by such a beaming
face, that she knew he was full of an idea, and asked what it might be
that pleased him so.

'Why, this,' he said, smacking his breast-pocket. 'A lock of hair that
Matilda gave me.'

Anne sank back with parted lips.

'I am going to give it to Jack--he'll jump for joy to get it! And it
will show him how willing I am to give her up to him, fine piece as she
is.'

'Will you see her to-day, Bob?' Anne asked with an uncertain smile.

'O no--unless it is by accident.'

On reaching the outskirts of the town he went straight to the barracks,
and was lucky enough to find John in his room, at the left-hand corner of
the quadrangle. John was glad to se