So he went with great strides until he reached a stile
beside the way and halting, he leaned there, with face bowed upon his
arms. Long he stood thus, silent and motionless and with face hidden.
At last he raised his head, looked up at heaven and round about him
like one who wakes in a new world, and limped slowly homewards.

"Sir," said the Sergeant, meeting him at the door, "Colonel Cleeve is
here."

"O!" said the Major, slowly. "Is he, Zeb? That is well!"

"A-snoring in the library, sir!"

"Aye, to be sure--to be sure!" said the Major vaguely.

"Y' see 'tis getting late, your honour," continued Sergeant Zebedee,
viewing the Major's drawn features anxiously.

"Why then--go you to bed, Zebedee."

"Can I get you aught first, sir--a bite o' something--a bottle or so?"

"No, Zeb, no--stay! Bring me my Ramillie coat."

CHAPTER XXXVIII

HOW THE MAJOR MADE HIS WILL

Colonel Lord George Cleeve, blissfully slumbering in deep armchair
beside the library fire, choked upon a snore and, opening his eyes,
perceived the Major opposite in another deep chair; but the Major was
awake, his frowning gaze was bent upon the fire and ever and anon he
sighed deeply.

"Refuse me, Jack!" exclaimed the Colonel, "to hark to you one would
think you in love and--er--damnably forlorn, you sigh, man, you sigh,
aye, let me perish, you puff grief like any bellows."

"And you snore, George, you snore man, aye, egad, like a very grampus!
None the less I joy to see thee, George," said the Major, rising and
extending his hand. "When did you arrive?"

"Some half-hour since. And snore, did I? Well, 'tis late enough, o'
conscience. Faith Jack, Sir Benjamin brews a devilish strong punch--I
supped with the company at the George. Then strolled over with Tom to
visit ya' charming neighbours. Man Jack, she's a damned fine
creature--ha?"

"She is!" sighed the Major.

"And with an air, Jack--an air." The Major sighed and seemed lost in
thought. "I say an air, Jack."

"An air George, as you say."

"Full up o' womanly graces and adornments feminine."

"True, George."

"And thoroughbred, Jack!" The Major stared pensively into the fire.
"I say all blood and high breeding, Jack."

"Aye, true George, true!"

"Well then, a man might do worse--ha?" The Major started. "How think
ye, Jack? I'm not a marrying man, Jack, as you know, the sex hath
never been a weakness o' mine but I'm touched at last, Jack--aye
touched with