It was not my purpose to halt De Croix, nor to stand between him and any adventure he might choose to undertake; but I could at least warn him, in a friendly spirit, of the imminent danger such a thing involved.
With this thought in mind, I ran hastily across the open parade into the officers' mess-hall, hoping I might find him loitering there.

To my hasty glance, the place appeared deserted; and I drew back, wondering where to turn next in search.

As I hesitated on the threshold, the low voice of Mademoiselle fell upon my ear; and at that moment she emerged from behind the curtain which divided the officers' quarters.
"May I hope you are seeking me ?" she asked, graciously; "for it has been most lonely here all day,--even Captain de Croix seems to have forgotten my existence." "It was De Croix I sought," I answered, somewhat nettled by her prompt reference to him; "and doubtless you are well able to give me trace of him." She studied me keenly, marking an angry note in my voice that I sought vainly to disguise.
"Forever a quarrel ?" she said, regretfully.

"Do you know, Master Wayland, I had thought better of you.

Surely it is not your nature to be a brawler, and always seeking opportunity to show the strong hand! What has Captain de Croix done now to make you seek him so vengefully ?" "'T is not in quarrel," I explained,--I fear with ill grace, for her words in his defence were little inclined to mollify me.