sant and unfair to Dam to set some one to
find out from his comrades what he calls himself.
If he chooses to hide from what he thinks is the
chance of further disgracing his people, and suffers
what he does in order to remain hidden, shall _I_ be
the one to do anything to show him up and cause
him worse suffering--expose him to a servant?

"How _can_ I get him a letter that shall not have
his name on it? If I wrote to his Colonel or the
Adjutant and enclosed a letter with just 'Dam'
on it they'd not know for whom it was meant--and
I dare not tell them his real name.

"Could you get a letter to him, Ormonde, without
letting him know that you know he is a private
soldier, and without letting a soul know his real
name?

"I do apologize for the length of this interminable
letter, but if you only knew the _relief_ it is to me to
be doing something that may help him, and to be
talking, or rather writing about him, you would
forgive me.

"His name must not be mentioned here. Think
of it!

"Oh, if it only would not make him _more_ unhappy,
I would go to him this minute, and refuse ever to
leave him again.

"Does that sound unmaidenly, Ormonde? I
don't care whether it does or not, nor whether it _is_
or not. I love him, and he loves me. I am his
_friend_. Could I stay here in luxury if it would
make him happier to marry me? Am I a terribly
abandoned female? I told Auntie Yvette just what
I had done, and though it simply saved her life to
know he had not committed suicide (I believe she
_worshipped_ father)--she seemed mortally shocked
at me for behaving so. I am not a bit ashamed
though. Dam is more important than good form,
and I had to show him in the strongest possible
way that he was dearer to me than ever. If it _was_
'behaving like a servant-girl'--all honour to
servant-girls, I think ... considering the circumstances.
You should have seen his face before he
caught sight of me. Yes--_and_ after, too. Though
really I think he suffered more from my kissing him--in
uniform, in the street--than if I had cut him.
It would be only for the minute though ... it
_must_ comfort him _now_, and always, to think that
I love him so (since he loves _me_--and always has
done). But what I must know before I can sleep
peacefully again is the name by which he goes in the
'2 Q.G's.,' so that I can write and comfort him regula