.

'You need have no fear of me, Polson,' Irene said. 'Speak out all your
mind.'

'Well, dear, it's this. We've been comrades ever since I helped you
to learn to ride your first pony. We've always been the very best of
friends, and only last night I was going to ask for something more. You
don't mind hearing me out, Irene?'

'No. Let us speak plainly. Let us understand each other.'

'Well, you see, everything went last night with a clean sweep by the
board. I thought I was safe for a commission. I'd been brought up to
expect a handsome fortune.' He spoke in a level tone, as if he had
been reading uninteresting matter from a book. 'All that is changed and
everything is changed with it. I'm a penniless private of dragoons, and
our ways in the world are wide apart. For old time's sake I should
be very sorry to believe that you'd ever forgot me altogether, but if
you'll try to bring yourself to think of me as trying to be cheerful in
a humble station, as remembering you always in my heart of hearts, and
never forgetting the distance that divides us--if you'll try to think
of me as always honouring myself because I was once your friend'--He was
forced to pause, but he went on again, level-voiced and monotonous as
before--'If you'll try to think of me as learning to be cheerful for
your sake, not as a moaning, broken-hearted chap--which I don't mean to
be at all--but just doing my work, you know, and thinking about you like
an affectionate poor relation might--why, then, in--in time you'll get
to feel the parting less.'

'Have you finished, Polson?' 'Yes, dear. That's about all, I think.
You see, I know you, Irene. You'll grizzle if you think I'm grizzling.
That's your nature. You can't bear to think of a canary bird in pain.'

'And that is all?'

'Yes, dear. That's all.'

'I shall never forget you, dear. I shall never forget you, and I shall
never change. If you had asked me to be your wife before these things
happened I should have said "Yes," and I should have been proud and
happy. But, Polson, this is why I thank God for having brought us
together just this once. I want you to remember that in this war names
will be heard of that never were known before. Yours may be one of
them.'

'You mustn't waste your life thinking of me, Irene. I shall remember
every word you have spoken. I shall treasure every word. I hope I shall
do my duty.'

'I am sure of that,' she answered. And then for a long time not a word
was