You wish to remain unrecognised in your regiment ?" "While my service lasts." Her lips formed the question again; and he understood, though she had not spoken.
"Why?
Yes, I'll tell you," he said with a reckless laugh.

"I'll tell you why I wear a new name.

It's because I love my old one--and the mother who bore it--and from whom I received it! And it's because I won't risk disgracing it.

You have asked, and _that's_ why! Because--_I'm afraid in battle_!--if you want to know!--afraid of getting hurt--wounded--killed! I don't know what I might do; I don't _know_! And if the world ever sees Private Ormond running away, they'll never know it was Constance Berkley's son.

And _that's_ why I changed my name!" "W-what ?" she faltered.