had ridden some distance in silence the
Sergeant spoke.

"Begging your pardon, sir, but you're wrong!"

"I think not, Zeb,'" sighed the Major, "'tis for the best."

"But sir, 'tis the wrong way to----"

"On the contrary 'tis the only way, Zeb, the only way to save her pain
and vexation. I couldn't bear to see her shrink--er--ha, what a plague
are you saying now, in the fiend's name, Sergeant?"

"Why sir, I only--"

"Be silent, Zebedee!"

"Very good, your honour, only this be the wrong way to Inchbourne."

"Egad!" exclaimed the Major, staring. "Now you mention it, Zeb, so
'tis!" And wheeling his horse forthwith, the Major galloped back to
the cross-roads. Being come thither he halted to glance swiftly about
and seemed much relieved to find no one in sight.

"Zebedee," said he suddenly as they rode on, knee to knee, "tis in my
mind to go a-travelling again."

"Thought and hoped our travelling days was done, sir."

"Aye, so did I, Zeb, so did I--but," the Major sighed wearily, "none
the less I'm minded to go campaigning again, leaving you here
to--er--look after things for me, as 'twere, Zeb."

"Can't and couldn't be, your honour! You go and me stay? Axing your
pardon, sir--Zounds, no!"

"Why not, pray?"

"Well first, sir, what would your honour do without me?"

"Truly I should--miss you, Zeb----"

"So you would, sir, so why think of going? Secondly, here's me been
hoping--ah, hoping right fervent as you'd bring it off, sir, wi'
colours flying and drums a-beating as gay as gay."

"Bring what off, Zeb?"

"Wedlock, sir." The Major flinched, then turned to scowl:

"Be curst for a presuming fool, Zebedee!" The Sergeant immediately
saluted. "Whom should I marry at my time of life, think you?"

"Lady Elizabeth Carlyon, sir."

The Major's bronzed cheek burned and he rode awhile with wistful gaze
on the distance.

"I shall--never marry, Zebedee!" said he at last.

"Why sir, asking your pardon, but that depends, I think."

"Depends!" repeated the Major, staring. "On what?"

"The Lady Elizabeth Carlyon, your honour."

Here ensued another long pause, then:

"How so, Zeb?"

"Sir, when some women makes up their mind to a man it ain't no manner
o' good that man a-saying 'No'!"

"Pray what d'you know of women, Sergeant Zebedee?"

"That much, sir!"

"Hum!" said the Major. "Nevertheless I shall never wed, Zebedee!"

Here he sighed again and the Sergeant did likewise.

"Which I do sad