her for an instant,
and De Blacquaire's cynical and contemptuous gaze took in the other from
head to foot, obviously taking note of the mean attire and the signs
of the night march Polson had made. His glance fastened on the bunch of
ribbons floating from the cap, and at that he smiled.

'Oh!' he said, with a finicking drawl. 'You've made a bolt of it, have
you?'

'Say that again,' said Polson, 'and I'll ram it down your throat, and
send a tooth or two along with it.'

'Indeed,' said De Blacquaire. 'I think you'll find that it won't pay
you to use such language in your present position, Private Jervase.'
He turned away and, with the whip he carried in his hand, struck a
resounding blow upon the open door. 'Sergeant!' he called, 'bring up a
file of men, and take this man to the guardroom.'

'On what authority, if you please?' asked Polson.

'On the authority of those ribbons, my man,' De Blacquaire answered.

'You mistake your authority, friend Popinjay,' said Polson. 'I am not in
your service yet.'

'Has this man enlisted, Volnay?' asked the Major.

'No,' said Volnay, 'he hasn't. He means to. And now I see what terms
you're on, I shall advise him very strongly, as an old friend of mine,
to choose another regiment.'

'Yes,' said Polson. 'I think I'll choose another regiment. I'm not
hungry for the cat-o'-nine tails, and I should earn it if I were under
this brute's command five minutes. You'd be a handsome chap in your own
way, Major, if it were not for that silly sneer you're pleased to carry
about with you. But I warn you that, under any circumstances whatsoever,
if you should presume upon any difference in our rank to insult me by a
word, a gesture, or a look I'll spoil your beauty for you.'

'This man's a friend of yours, is he, Volnay?' said De Blacquaire,
ignoring his antagonist.

'Yes,' said Volnay. 'A very old friend of mine.'

'Well, you can keep him with you. I've just got my appointment on the
Staff. I'm off for Varna to-morrow, and I don't suppose that I shall
meet the gentleman again. I want a private word with you. If Mr. Jervase
will be so kind as to relieve us of his presence.'

'I'll be back in a quarter of an hour,' said Polson.

'All right, old chap,' Volnay answered, and made haste to add, before
his old chum had left the room, 'I'm devilish glad you're going, De
Blacquaire, and the whole regiment will share my sentiments. The mess
will be a devilish sight happier without you.'

At