What more natural than that I should take refuge in my uncle's house." "You mean Major McDonald ?" "Certainly--he was my mother's only brother." "I think I have heard somewhere that the Major's only sister married a man named Counts." She drew in her breath sharply.
"Yes, of course--her first husband." "You were a daughter then of her first marriage ?" "Of course." "But assumed the name of Carson when she married again ?" "That was when you met me." "The change was natural enough," he went on.
"But why did you also become Vera in place of Sarah ?" "Oh, is that it?
Well, never attempt to account for the vagaries of a girl," she returned lightly, as though dismissing the subject.

"I presume I took a fancy to the prettier name.

But how did you know ?" "Garrison rumor picks up nearly everything, and it is not very kind to you, Mrs.Dupont.

I hope I am doing you a favor in saying this.

Your rather open flirtation with Lieutenant Gaskins is common talk, even among enlisted men, and I have heard that your relations with Major McDonald are peculiar." "Indeed!" with a rising inflection of the voice.