It made her sure of his presence, his protection.

The man felt the movement, and understood its meaning, his heart throbbing strangely.
"You are going to trust me ?" "Of--of course; how could you doubt that ?" "Well," still half questioning, "you see I 'm only an enlisted man, and sometimes officers' ladies think we are mostly pretty poor stuff, just food for powder." She tightened her grip on his sleeve, drawing a quick breath of surprise.
"Oh, but I am not like that; truly I am not.

I--I saw your face this afternoon, and--and I liked you then.

I will do whatever you say." "Thank you," he said simply.

"To know that makes everything so much easier for me.