thought of
other people's conduct. So half a dozen, at least, had more or less
confidentially asked if she knew of Mr. Hayne and Miss Travers's
meeting. Indeed she did! and she had given Nellie her opinion of her
conduct very decidedly. It was Captain Rayner himself who interposed,
she said, and forbade her upbraiding Nellie any further. Nellie being
either in an adjoining room or up in her own on several occasions when
these queries were propounded to her sister, it goes without saying that
that estimable woman, after the manner of her sex, had elevated her
voice in responding, so that there was no possibility of the wicked
girl's failing to get the full benefit of the scourging she deserved.
Rayner had, indeed, positively forbidden her further rebuking Nellie;
but the man does not live who can prevent one woman's punishing another
so long as she can get within earshot, and Miss Travers was paying
dearly for her independence.

It cannot be estimated just how great a disappointment her visit to the
frontier was proving to that young lady, simply because she kept her own
counsel. There were women in the garrison who longed to take her to
their hearts and homes, she was so fresh and pure and sweet and winning,
they said; but how could they, when her sister would recognize them only
by the coldest possible nod? Nellie was not happy, that was certain,
though she made no complaint, and though the young officers who were
daily her devotees declared she was bright and attractive as she could
be. There were still frequent dances and parties in the garrison, but
March was nearly spent, and the weather had been so vile and blustering
that they could not move beyond the limits of the post. April might
bring a change for the better in the weather, but Miss Travers wondered
how it could better her position.

It is hard for a woman of spirit to be materially dependent on any one,
and Miss Travers was virtually dependent on her brother-in-law. The
little share of her father's hard savings was spent on her education.
Once free from school, she was bound to another apprenticeship, and
sister Kate, though indulgent, fond, and proud, lost no opportunity of
telling her how much she owed to Captain Rayner. It got to be a fearful
weight before the first summer was well over. It was the main secret of
her acceptance of Mr. Van Antwerp. And now, until she would consent to
name the day that should bind her for life to him, she had no home but