There was a weak spot in his make-up of which he had never
before been aware. There was one young woman in particular who caught
his eye, a vision of dark hair and black eyes which lived on in his
imagination when it had vanished from his external sight. Sam actually
fancied that the young woman looked at him with approving eyes, and he
was emboldened to look back. It was impossible for social intercourse
between a young lady in society and a fourth-class "beast" to go
further than this, and at this point their relations stood, but Sam was
sure that the maiden liked his looks. It so happened that her most
devoted admirer was none other than Cadet Saunders, who was continually
hovering about her. Sam was devoured with jealousy. In his low estate
he was even unable to find out her name for a long time. He could not
speak to upper-class men, and his classmates knew nothing of the gay
world above them. However, he discovered at last that she was a Miss
Hunter from the West. His informant was a waiter at the hotel whom he
waylaid on his way out one night, for cadets were forbidden to enter
the hotel.
"I suppose she has her father and mother with her?" Sam suggested.
"Oh, no, sir. She's all alone. She's been here all alone every summer
this six years."
"That's strange," said Sam. "Hasn't she a protector?"
"Oh, yes! she has protectors enough.
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