plain--a
narrow camp bed, a few chairs, and a dressing-table--bare of everything
but the absolute necessities of toilet, and those of the simplest
description. One saw the old soldier in every arrangement, but it was
on the opposite corner of the room that Jill's eyes rested with the
greatest astonishment.

On the wall hung a picture which she did not remember having seen
before, representing a group of Eastern beggars, and in the foreground
the figure of Christ with a beautiful, earnest face--a _young_ face, not
the worn and haggard representation so often seen--talking to one whose
handsome robes showed him to be a person of position, who stood with
hanging head and pained, disappointed expression. Beneath the picture
stood a kneeling-chair with a pile of devotional books on the ledge.
The whole effect was that of a quiet corner or "closet," as the Apostle
calls it, and Jill was still staring at it with distended eyes when the
General turned round and discovered her.

"You appear to be astonished by the sight of my corner! Why?" he
inquired, and a more observant listener might have discovered a certain
tension and anxiety in his tone, but Jill noticed nothing, and answered
with the brutal candour of youth--

"I--I did not think you were--like that!"

"Ah! Why not? Because I lost my temper, and railed at you the other
day. Eh, what?"

Jack and Jill gave a simultaneous exclamation of denial, for there had
been a note of real pain and shame in the old man's voice which was
quick to reach their hearts. In truth, they had thought no less of the
General for his expression of temper. It was only what was to be
expected under the circumstances, and he had been a brick in defending
them from their father's anger. It was difficult to explain the real
reason of their surprise at the discovery of his Christianity. One
could not say, for instance, "because your face is so red, and your eyes
are so fierce, and your voice is so loud, and your manner of
conversation so abrupt and startling; because you have been a slayer of
men, and have lived a life of storm and adventure," yet it was in truth
the contrast to the pale, anaemic type which young people instinctively
picture in a devotee which caused the astonishment in their minds. They
remained silent, hanging their heads, while the General continued
sadly--

"Well, well, I don't wonder! That tongue of mine has dishonoured me a
hundred times before now, but, bad s