r
he realised that Barton had made up his mind to quarrel with him.

"What has been the matter, Vincent?"

"Mr Barton has thought proper to accuse my friends of gross
favouritism, and he tells me that I have no business in the horse
brigade."

"Lieutenant Barton is not the judge of what officers are suitable for
our troop; and you may take it for granted that if you had not proved
yourself worthy of the selection made, you would very soon have been
transferred back."

"Don't you believe it, Vincent," cried Barton, whose face was flushed,
and whose manner indicated that he had been drinking overnight, with the
consequence that he was irritable and bitter with every one about him.
"The whole service is being neglected, or else there would very soon be
a weeding out in this troop."

Brace had been very grave and calm so far. Again and again he had
turned aside the sneers and innuendoes of Barton, who for months had
grown more and more offensive as he found that he could insult Brace
with impunity; but now he was startled by the change which came over his
brother-officer, for Brace flushed up, his eyes glittered, and in a
voice that I did not recognise as his own, he said--

"Yes, sir, and Lieutenant Barton would be removed, perhaps disgraced,
for insolence to his brother-officers, brutality to the people under
him, and conduct generally unworthy of an officer and a gentleman."

"What?" cried Barton.

"You understand my words, sir," said Brace. "You have forced me by your
treatment to turn at last, and tell you that I will submit to your
insults no longer, neither will I allow you to annoy Vincent."

"You will not allow me!"

"I will not. Do you think I am a child because I have been forbearing?
Your insolence has been beyond bounds."

"Then why did you bear it?" cried Barton.

"For the honour of the service, sir. Because I would not degrade myself
and you in the eyes of our men by descending to a quarrel."

"How brave!" cried Barton, mockingly; but Brace paid no heed, and went
on.

"Because, sir, I would not be your boon companion, and drink and
generally conduct myself in a way unworthy of an English officer in the
high position I hold in this country, I have been constantly marked out
as the butt for your offensive sarcasm, even as far back as the time
when, if you had possessed a spark of manliness or feeling, you would
have respected me and shown consideration for one who was passing
through such