CHAPTER X.THE MOON WAS NOT ALONE.
Out on the prairie under the light of the stars a man had fought the first great battle of his life, and had emerged victorious.

There are no drawn battles in the struggles of the soul.

As Orlando fought, he was tortured by the thought that none would believe the truth to-morrow when it was told; and that there would be penalty though there was no crime.
As for Louise, she could have returned, almost blindly defiant, to her world, hand in hand with Orlando; and yet, when morning came, and her eyes opened on the prairie at day-break, with life stirring everywhere, she was glad of the victory--though the shadow of a great trouble to come was showing in her eyes.
She knew what she had to face at Tralee, and that she had no proof of her perfect innocence.

It was of little use for them to call upon Heaven to witness what the night had been; and Joel Mazarine, who distrusted every man and woman, would distrust her with a sternness which guilt only could effectively defy! Orlando's enforced gaiety as he invited her to a breakfast of a couple of biscuits, left from yesterday's broncho-busting, heartened her; yet both were conscious of the make-believe.

They realized they were helpless in the grip of harsh circumstance.