y heart! Well, Chevalier, the fortune of war has reversed
our personal positions from Louisbourg, but I do not see that the
end is much more certain now than then."

"Much the same," I answered; "the result altogether depends on the
first ships."

"And I suppose you abide by it as before?"

"I must, Nairn. We need not reopen that subject."

"I only mention it, because I am anxious about the future of your
boy, Christopher. I congratulate you on finding such a son. Will
you understand me, if I say I trust you have not thought of
influencing him to leave our service, though I could not blame you
wishing him beside you."

"Nairn, I owe you my thanks for having broached the subject. I have
been too dependent on my own exertions all my life to make me a
good beggar, even for my son. When in Louisbourg you expressed
yourself as under some obligation towards me. Will you discharge
it by using your best endeavours for his advancement? He is too
good metal to waste as a common soldier."

"He is that! And if you allow him to remain, I pledge my word he
shall not continue as such. It may sound presumptions in a mere
captain to promise so confidently, but if we come out of this
successfully, promotions will follow. He has been most favourably
marked by the General, and also by our Colonel."

"Let me see; he is a son of old Lovat, is he not?"

"That he is, and in more ways than one."

"If he be like his sainted father, he will have a longer memory
for his own interests than those of his friends."

"This is rank treason, Chevalier. I won't listen to another word
of it," said Nairn, laughing. "But I am depending on the General,
he never forgets any one, I can tell you, too," he added, eagerly,
"he is a stickler for birth, and he will appreciate the fact of
Christopher being your son."

"That is a rare advantage!" I said, banteringly.

"Of course it is! Would you not value a good horse the more if you
knew his pedigree?" he answered, without the ghost of a smile.

"Oh, come, come, Nairn! You must not attempt flattery, it has too
overwhelming an effect. But, tell me--in what manner did you meet
with your sister again?" I ventured boldly, knowing there was
nothing to be gained by a subtler policy with him.

"Simple enough. She was in the General Hospital when I was placed
in command there, and very pleased I was to find her," he answered,
as though the meeting were the most ordinary affair in the world,
his tone clearl