"Won't he think so as it is?"
"Perhaps. Still I am willing to run the risk; and I wanted to have you as my wife, whether I could take you or not. I'm afraid I'm a selfish fellow, Helen, and not by any means worthy of you."
"Why, Harold! What a way of speaking—just after our marriage, too!"
"Forgive me, dearest! I didn't mean anything, but that I love you so much, that I almost tremble at the responsibility we have undertaken."
"Is that a brave front for a soldier?" exclaimed Helen, with flashing eye.
"I would dare anything for myself, Helen; but it is of you I was thinking. To leave you behind with no one but your uncle and aunt to care for you when we sail, and perhaps not come back for years, seems more than I can bear."
"If we have to we must, though," she exclaimed, cuddling closer. "Then I will stay home and wait and watch and pray for the dearest one in all the world to me; and think of Penetang. Isn't that the name of the place? and long for the day that I can be with my husband again."
"What a noble girl you are!"
"I'm a soldier's daughter"; and she looked up proudly, although a tear was in her eye.
"Yes, and your brave father was shot in the heart while leading his men to victory."
"And come what will, his daughter shall never disgrace his name. Victory will yet be ours!" she said courageously.
"God grant it," was his response.
For some moments both had solemn faces, while with gentle pressure they held each other's hands.
"I am not without hope," Harold continued at last. "Sir George may be angry at first, and I can't blame him for that. He'll raise a row, of course—perhaps send me to Hades—but he may give in before the ship sails. It will be jolly happy for us if he does."
While he was speaking a critical look came into Helen's face.
"Do you know," she exclaimed with sudden earnestness, "I really believe I can help you!"
"My darling! How in the world can you? You do not even know Sir George or one of the officers."
"That may be," she replied, holding his hand in both of hers. "But see, the carriage is stopping. I cannot tell you now. Just leave it to me," and at once the expression upon her face inspired him with renewed confidence.
Just then they arrived at a little villa on G——e street, and the whole party alighted.
CHAPTER II.
Two days later, Lieutenant Manning was at the officers' mess at the quarters of the 100th Regiment. The fact that he had only recently been transferred, and that he was still on the convalescent list, made his temporary absence unnoticed. He ran his eye quickly over the faces of the men who greeted him by nod or word, for he was already a favorite. But he saw nothing unusual. The secret evidently was not out, and of this he was glad; for the Colonel could now receive the news directly from himself and not from officers' gossip.
They were talking of the prospective trip, and in the absence of Sir George, with more freedom than usual.
"Will you be ready, Manning?" Lieutenant Smith asked across the table. "The Colonel says we start in twelve days."
"So soon as that!" the young man exclaimed with a start. A lump had suddenly jumped into his throat. Pulling himself together before any one could observe, he went on: "Yes; but I thought we were to sail by the Challenger, which does not leave port until a week later."
"That was the first order," said Captain Cummings from the other end of the room; "but it had to be changed yesterday, for the Challenger on examination was found unseaworthy."
"And by what ship do we sail now?"
"By the North King, one of the best men-of-war in the navy. It is large, too, and leaves port a week earlier."
How Lieutenant Manning got through mess and the next two hours' official duties, before he could see the Colonel, he did not know. Never before did minutes appear so much like hours. Even when he lay in the trenches at Badajos, with a slice out of his leg, and could hear his comrades' cheers amid the din of cannonading, time seemed to pass more quickly.
At last, Sir George, accompanied by an orderly, crossed the barrack yard, and entered his office. But there were other visitors ahead of Manning, and the day was well advanced before his opportunity came. Finally the last one departed, an orderly opened the door and Harold entered.
"Lieutenant Manning, glad to see you," said Sir George in answer to Harold's salute. "I suppose you are as strong as ever, and ready for another march."
There was tone of inquiry in his voice; for it was unusual for the younger officers to visit him, except on special business.
"Yes, sir," replied Harold, coloring. "A soldier should always be ready for orders."
"There's not much time to lose," was the next comment. "Our men of the 100th go aboard the North King not many days hence, and sail from the London docks on the 24th. What's the matter, lad? Is there anything I can do for you?"
"I came to make a confession, sir," stammered the Lieutenant, his face remaining red in spite of himself.
"What, been gambling? You young fellows are always at it."
"No, sir! It is not that," replied the young man indignantly; while, at the same time, the utterance of the calumny seemed to relieve the mental pressure. "The fact is, Colonel, I've been getting married."
"Getting married, you idiot!" and Sir George fairly jumped off his seat in amazement. "Are you mad?" and his eyes glared fiercely at Harold. "Do you know what that means? Rank insubordination; complete separation for years from the silly woman who has taken you for a husband! Zounds, man, I thought you had more sense!"
By this time Harold's excitement had subsided. He was cool again.
"I am prepared to take the consequences, sir, whatever they may be. I only ask for the liberty of explanation."
"Explanation indeed! That should have come before, not afterwards," and with another angry growl, Sir George settled himself in his chair again.
"My wife," said Harold—the Colonel winced—"is willing to endure any length of separation that is necessary. But I want to say about her that her father and mother are dead. She is provided for, however, and lives with her uncle and aunt. What's more, she's a beautiful woman and is just as brave as she is good."
"That's all very well, sir, but why did you bluster along at this infernal speed?"
"For two reasons, sir." Harold had prepared himself for the fight. "First, because I understood my stay in Canada would be a long one; and second, because you said I might have the command of a fort there, some day."
"Yet you tell me when too late to stop a silly move that will upset the whole business."
"It would have been too late, sir, if I had spoken. A soldier never disobeys orders."
"Humph! If I were to report this at headquarters, it would check at once your chances of promotion, and probably your march to Penetang as well."
"That is the very point, sir, I was going to ask. I wish you would report me, together with the request that my wife be allowed to accompany us to Canada. It need be no expense to the war department,