o. That mine will not he a long
life I feel a certain assurance. All I ask is the power to serve my
country as long as I am able, and to die for her, sword in hand,
when the hour has come."

The eyes kindled and the smile flashed forth. Julian and Humphrey
looked into the face of the man whom they had heard described as
one of the most promising and intrepid young officers of the
English army, and felt a thrill of admiration run through them. The
frame was so frail and weak and helpless; but the indomitable
spirit seemed as though it would be able to bear its master through
any and every peril which duty might bid him face.

They had consented to be his guests for a few days; but it had not
occurred to them that this visit would be prolonged to any great
length, and yet thus it came about.

Colonel Wolfe and his wife, the mother of whom the young soldier
often spoke in tender and loving terms, were detained from
rejoining their son, as they had purposed doing before the winter
came. Colonel Wolfe had a property of his own in Kent, and his
presence was wanted there. The son was compelled to remain in the
neighbourhood of Bath for the sake of his shattered health. They
had intended all spending the winter there together in the pleasant
house they had taken; but this soon became impossible, and it was
then that Wolfe said to his new friends, with that quaint look of
appeal in his eyes which they had come to know by this time:

"Could you two be persuaded to take pity upon a capricious and
whimsical sick man, and be his companions through the winter
months? Then with the spring, when we know what is to be done for
the succour of our comrades in the West, we will make shift to go
forth to their assistance. If you will stay with me till then, I
will promise you shall not lack fitting equipment to follow the
army when it sails hence."

There was nothing the two companions desired more by that time than
to remain with Wolfe, the charm of whose personality had by that
time quite fascinated them. They felt almost like brothers already.
It was upon Humphrey's strong arm that Wolfe would take his daily
walk into the town for the needful baths or water drinkings. It was
Julian who read to him the news of the day, and they all discussed
it eagerly together. Moreover, he saw to the drilling and training
of these two fine men with the keenest interest and enthusiasm.
They had the making in them of excellent soldiers, and showed