the room. He had left his table with his gold snuff-box in
one hand, his pinched-together finger and thumb of the other holding a
tiny modicum of snuff, which he applied to his nose as I entered, and he
stopped short before me.

"Oh, there you are, Vincent," he said in his prompt military way, and I
noticed that the trouble of a short time before was all put aside. "You
know what I want, I suppose?"

"I can't help guessing, sir."

"No, I suppose not. You must have plenty of interest, my dear lad, and
I congratulate you. Here you are appointed to the artillery.
Calcutta."

"Ah!" I ejaculated; and in those busy moments as I stood looking right
ahead out of the study into my future, I felt as if young, slight, and
youthful as I was, boyhood was dropping away, and I was going to be a
man to command men.

"It's too early, Vincent," he said, shaking his head, and tapping his
snuff-box; "much too early. You are such a boy. Why, you'll be the
youngest officer in the service, though you do look old. I should have
liked you to stay with us a couple of years longer."

"Yes, sir," I faltered. "I'm afraid I've got on very badly."

"No," he said sharply, "that's it; you have not got on badly with your
studies. From every professor I have had the same report, that your
papers are excellent. That's where it is. You were nearly at the head
of the list in the artillery, and it was only just that you should be
appointed. But, all the same, you dog, you've influential people at
your back. That old uncle the director. I hope one of these days both
services will give their promotions and appointments by merit alone."

"Then you think it unjust, sir, that one so young as I am should get his
commission?" I said warmly.

"No, I do not, Vincent. Don't be so peppery. What a temper you have,
sir. You must master that. I think, in this instance, the interest has
been well exercised. I have had plenty of inquiries about you, and I've
been obliged to speak well of you always."

I coloured a little.

"You're too young, but they want officers badly, and you'll soon get
older, and I have no doubt will make a good soldier, if you command your
temper. You ought to have been in the engineers, though."

"Oh no, sir," I said eagerly. "I want to be a gunner. Is the
commission for the Horse Artillery?"

He laughed and took snuff.

"Why, you conceited young greenhorn!" he said good-humouredly. "Has all
the teaching of