assumed to be busy commencing the miserable meal.

"Well!" exclaimed Roby at last; and then in a tone which expressed his
utter astonishment: "Well."

"Sit down, Captain Roby," continued the colonel, raising his eyebrows as
he saw that his subordinate was still standing.

"I beg your pardon, sir," said Roby stiffly, after looking round in vain
for something in the way of moral support from his brother officers, who
all sat frowning at their portions.

"Yes?" said the colonel calmly.

"I have no wish to be insubordinate, but, speaking on behalf of all
present here, I desire to say that we feel it impossible to remain at
the table in company with one who--"

"That will do," said the colonel, fixing Dickenson with his eyes, for
that individual had suddenly given vent to a sound that was neither
sigh, grunt, ejaculation, nor snort, but something that might have been
the result of all these combined.

"I beg your pardon, sir?" said Roby hotly.

"I said that would do, Captain Roby," replied the colonel. "I did not
gather that you had been elected to speak for your brother officers upon
a subject about which I consider myself to be the proper arbiter.
Moreover, if any officer feels himself aggrieved respecting any one whom
I elect to join us at the mess-table, I am always open to hear his
complaint."

"But really, sir," began Roby indignantly, "this is an assembly of
honourable gentlemen."

"With an exception," growled Dickenson.

"Yes," cried Roby passionately, "with an exception--I may add, two
exceptions."

"Look here, Captain Roby," cried Dickenson, springing up, "do you mean
this as an insult to me?"

"Silence!" cried the colonel, rising in turn. "Mr Dickenson, resume
your seat."

Dickenson dropped down so heavily that the empty cartridge-box that
formed his seat cracked as if about to collapse.

"Captain Roby," said the colonel, "I beg that you will say no more now
upon this painful subject. Resume your seat, sir."

"Sir," said Roby, "I must ask your permission to leave the mess-table.
Whatever my brother officers may choose to do, I absolutely refuse to
sit at the same table with a--"

"Stop!" roared Dickenson, springing up again in a furious passion. "If
you dare to call my friend Lennox a coward again, court-martial or no
court-martial, I'll knock you down."

Every man now sprang to his feet as if startled by the sudden verbal
shell which had fallen amongst them. Then there was a dead sil