a lighter tone, "that as
you will be settled in Saxony--and this war cannot go on for
ever--I shall someday see you and your bride at Berlin. None will
be more welcome."

"He is going home to Scotland for a few months, in the first
place," Keith said. "It is only right that he should visit his
mother and people there, before he settles here. He will, like
enough, be back again before the campaign opens in the spring."

Fergus, whose heart was very full, said a few words of thanks to
the king for the kindness that he had always shown him, and for
what he had now said; and assured him that he should not only come
to Berlin, as soon as peace was made; but that, as long as the war
lasted, he would pay his respects to him every year, when he was in
winter quarters. He then withdrew, and made his way to the hotel.

"It is done," he said to the count as he entered. "I have resigned
my commission, and the king has accepted it. He was most kind. I am
glad that I have done it, and yet it was a very hard thing to do."

Thirza uttered an exclamation of joy.

"I am glad, indeed, Fergus, that you are not going to that terrible
war again."

"I can understand your feelings, Drummond," the count said, putting
his hand upon his shoulder. "I know that it must have been a wrench
to you, but that will pass off in a short time. You have done your
duty nobly, and have fairly earned a rest.

"Now, let us talk of other things. When do you think of starting
for Scotland?"

"To that I must reply," Fergus said with a smile, "'How long are
you thinking of stopping here?' Assuredly I shall not want to be
going, as long as you are here. And in any case, I should like my
mother to have a week's notice before I come home; and I think
that, in another fortnight, my wound will be completely healed."

"I was thinking," the count said, "that you will want to take a
nurse with you."

"Do you mean, count," Fergus exclaimed eagerly, "that Thirza could
go with me? That would be happiness, indeed."

"I don't quite see why she should not, Drummond. There are churches
here, and clergymen.

"What do you say, Thirza?"

"Oh, father," the girl said, with a greatly heightened colour, "I
could never be ready so soon as that!

"Could I, mother?"

"I don't know, my dear. Your father was talking to me an hour ago
about it, and that was what I said; but he answered that, although
you might not be able to get a great many clothes made, there will
be p