a quarter of an hour. That is
short notice for a lady's toilet.' he went on, trying to smile, 'but you
must learn military despatch.'

And thus it came about that Polson and Irene met once more before the
final parting, for at the moment at which the carriage swept into
the barrack square the newly-enlisted recruit was walking towards the
orderly room under the guidance of a corporal. The youngster still wore
the fluttering ribbons in the shabby old sealskin cap, and that fact and
his presence in the barracks told the whole story instantly.

'By Heaven!' cried the General, 'I like that. The lad has grit in him!'
He cried aloud in the ringing clarion voice which advancing years
had left in all its rounded sweetness, 'Hi, you there--halt!' and the
corporal at the voice straightened himself and stood to attention.
Polson knew the voice, but he walked on until the command was repeated.
The General stopped the carriage and alighted. 'Can you bear to speak to
him?' he whispered.

'Yes,' said Irene, 'I wish it.'

The General walked briskly to the recruit, and stretched out his hand
towards him. 'You have done well, my lad. You could have done nothing
better. You have an old soldier's respect, Polson. You have joined us?'

'Yes, sir,' said Polson, 'I have joined you. Volnay is here, sir--you
remember Volnay?'

'His father and I charged together at Waterloo,' said the General. 'He
is a good lad. You and he are great friends, I hear?'

'We have been,' Polson answered. 'Major de Blacquaire is here as well;
but he has a Staff appointment, and I understand he leaves the corps
to-morrow.'

'He is the man I am here to see,' said Boswell. 'Irene is with me, and I
believe she wishes to speak to you.'

The young man glanced deprecatingly at his old array, and the General
read the glance. 'She will understand all that,' he said, 'just as well
as I do. You have seen De Blacquaire?'

'I believe he is in barracks--I saw him a few hours ago.'

'Corporal! 'called the General, 'find Major de Blacquaire, give him
General Boswell's compliments, and ask him to receive me.'

The corporal saluted and went his way, a bewildered man, for it had
never before fallen to his lot to find a raw recruit in the enjoyment
of a General's friendship. There was a mystery here, and it kept the
regiment in talk for a little while until the interest in it died out;
but it made Polson a man of mark from the first. The corporal was back
in a minute wit