ngloriously one gets a wound that in real war would have been a title of
honour.'

'If I had to give a V.C. for this affair, it would be to that fine girl I'd
give it, and not to you, Cecil.'

'So should I. There is no question whatever as to our respective shares in
the achievement.'

'And she is so modest and unaffected about it all, and when she was showing
me the position and the alcove, she never ceased to lay stress on the
safety she enjoyed during the conflict.'

'Then she said nothing about standing in front of me after I was wounded?'

'Not a word. She said a great deal about your coolness and indifference to
danger, but nothing about her own.'

'Well, I suppose it's almost a shame to own it--not that I could have done
anything to prevent it--but she did step down one step of the stair and
actually cover me from fire.'

'She's the finest girl in Europe,' said Lockwood warmly.

'And if it was not the contrast with her cousin, I'd almost say one of the
handsomest,' said Cecil.

'The Greek is splendid, I admit that, though she'll not speak--she'll
scarcely notice me.'

'How is that?'

'I can't imagine, except it might have been, an awkward speech I made when
we were talking over the row. I said, "Where were you? what were you doing
all this time? "'

'And what answer did she make you?'

'None; not a word. She drew herself proudly up, and opened her eyes so
large and full upon me, that I felt I must have appeared some sort of
monster to be so stared at.'

'I've seen her do that.'

'It was very grand and very beautiful; but I'll be shot if I'd like to
stand under it again. From that time to this she has never deigned me more
than a mere salutation.'

'And are you good friends with the other girl?'

'The best in the world. I don't see much of her, for she's always abroad,
over the farm, or among the tenants: but when we meet we are very cordial
and friendly.'

'And the father, what is he like?'

'My lord is a glorious old fellow, full of hospitable plans and pleasant
projects; but terribly distressed to think that this unlucky incident
should prejudice you against Ireland. Indeed, he gave me to understand that
there must have been some mistake or misconception in the matter, for the
castle had never been attacked before; and he insists on saying that if
you will stop here--I think he said ten years--you'll not see another such
occurrence.'

'It's rather a hard way to test the problem though