e years Mr. Hartley's father, who was the next
heir, and who died five years ago, applied to be declared the inheritor
of the title; but the peers, or judges, or someone decided that
twenty-one years must elapse before such an application could be even
considered. The income has been accumulating ever since, so that at the
end of that time, it is probable that Mr. Hartley will be allowed to
assume the title.

"Will the estates go with the title, Hartley?"

"Oh, I should say so, of course!" the other drawled. "The title would
not be of much use, without them."

"Nonsense, my dear fellow!" another said. "Why, a fellow with your
personal advantage, and a title, would be able to command the American
market, and to pick up an heiress with millions."

The general laugh that followed showed that Hartley was, by no means, a
popular character in the regiment.

"The fellow is a consummate ass," the man on Gregory's left whispered.
"He only got into the service as a Queen's cadet. He could no more have
got in, by marks, than he could have flown. No one believes that he had
anything the matter with him, at Cairo; but he preferred stopping
behind and coming up by himself, without any duties, to taking any
share in the work. He is always talking about his earldom--that is why
the Major mentioned it, so as to draw him out."

"But I suppose he is really heir to it?"

"Yes, if no one else claims it. For aught that is known, there may be
half a dozen children of the man that is missing, knocking about
somewhere in Canada or Australia. If so, they are safe to turn up,
sooner or later. You see, as the man had an elder brother, he would not
have counted at all upon coming to the title. He may be in some
out-of-the-way place, where even a colonial newspaper would never reach
him; but, sooner or later, he or some of his sons will be coming home,
and will hear of the last earl's death, and then this fellow's nose
will be put out of joint.

"I am sure everyone in the regiment would be glad, for he is an
insufferable ass. I suppose, when he comes into the title, he will
either cut the army altogether, or exchange into the Guards."

The party presently broke up, having finished the last bottle of wine
they had brought up. Gregory remained seated by the Major, discussing
the chances of the campaign, and the points where resistance might be
expected. The other officers stood talking, a short distance off.
Presently Gregory caught the wor