to drink; I was thoroughly tired, and
there was no place for me to sit. To be sure there was the floor, but
nothing could be imagined less inviting.

At the sound of approaching footsteps my good-humour was restored. The
key rattled in the lock, and Master Ronald entered, closed the door
behind him, and leaned his back to it.

"I say, you know!" he said, and shook a sullen young head.

"I know it's a liberty," said I.

"It's infernally awkward: my position is infernally embarrassing," said
he.

"Well," said I, "and what do you think of mine?"

This seemed to pose him entirely, and he remained gazing upon me with a
convincing air of youth and innocence. I could have laughed, but I was
not so inhumane.

"I am in your hands," said I, with a little gesture. "You must do with
me what you think right."

"Ah, yes!" he cried: "if I knew!"

"You see," said I, "it would be different if you had received your
commission. Properly speaking, you are not yet a combatant; I have
ceased to be one; and I think it arguable that we are just in the
position of one ordinary gentleman to another, where friendship usually
comes before the law. Observe, I only say _arguable_. For God's sake,
don't think I wish to dictate an opinion. These are the sort of nasty
little businesses, inseparable from war, which every gentleman must
decide for himself. If I were in your place----"

"Ay, what would you do, then?" says he.

"Upon my word, I do not know," said I. "Hesitate, as you are doing, I
believe."

"I will tell you," he said. "I have a kinsman, and it is what _he_ would
think that I am thinking. It is General Graham of Lynedoch--Sir Thomas
Graham. I scarcely know him, but I believe I admire him more than I do
God."

"I admire him a good deal myself," said I, "and have good reason to. I
have fought with him, been beaten, and run away. _Veni, victus sum,
evasi._"

"What!" he cried. "You were at Barossa?"

"There and back, which many could not say," said I. "It was a pretty
affair and a hot one, and the Spaniards behaved abominably, as they
usually did in a pitched field; the Marshal Duke of Belluno made a fool
of himself, and not for the first time; and your friend Sir Thomas had
the best of it, so far as there was any best. He is a brave and ready
officer."

"Now, then, you will understand!" said the boy. "I wish to please Sir
Thomas: what would he do?"

"Well, I can tell you a story," said I, "a true one too, and about thi