feel very differently situated. Your conduct
during the war has been so gallant that, without the slightest
hesitation, I should side with you and set down all that Captain Roby
has said to a hallucination caused by the injury to his head. But, you
see, there is the testimony of Corporal May, who declares that he
witnessed your conduct--conduct which I feel bound to say seems, when
weighed by your previous actions, perfectly inexplicable."

"Then I am to consider, sir, on the testimony of this man, that I am
unworthy of holding a commission in Her Majesty's service?" said Lennox
bitterly.

"Stop," said the colonel. "Don't be rash, and say things of which you
may repent, Lennox."

"An innocent man defending himself against such a charge, sir, cannot
always weigh his words. Look at my position, sir. I am fit now to
return to my duty, and I find a marked coldness on the part of my
brother officers and a peculiarity in the looks of the men which shows
me plainly enough that they believe it true."

"I have noticed it myself," said the colonel, "save in two instances.
Mr Dickenson is downright in his defence of you; and I freely tell you
for your comfort that the bravest non-commissioned officer in the
regiment, when I was speaking to him on the subject, laughed the charge
to scorn, and--confound him!--he had the insolence to tell me he'd as
soon believe that I would run away as believe it of you."

"Ha!" ejaculated Lennox, with his eyes brightening. "Sergeant James?"

"Yes; Sergeant James. A fine, staunch fellow, Lennox. He'll have his
commission by-and-by if I can help it on."

"Well, sir," said Lennox slowly, "I suppose it is of no use to fight
against fate. Am I to consider myself under arrest?"

"Certainly not," said the colonel firmly. "This is no time for dealing
with such a matter. I have enough on my hands to keep the enemy at a
distance, and I want every one's help. But as soon as we are relieved--
if we ever are--I am bound, unless Captain Roby and the corporal retract
all they have said and attribute it to delirium--I am bound, I say, to
call the attention of my superiors to the matter. I shall do so
unwillingly, but I must. Out of respect to your brother officers, and
for your sake as well, I cannot let this matter slide. It would be
blasting your career as a soldier--for you could not retain your
commission in this regiment."

"No, sir," said Lennox slowly, "nor exchange into another.