“Then your business is with the staff. I am unwilling to permit
gentlemen to step aside out of their work.” He spoke in his usual
deliberate manner, and with a certain sternness such as he well knew how
to assume.
I saluted, but stood still a moment, and then said, “I trust,
Excellency, that I have fulfilled my duties to your satisfaction.”
“Entirely. I should have made it plain to you had it been otherwise.”
“And I have never asked a favour of your Excellency. I have been twice
wounded, have had no home leave for four years, and have spent five
months in a British jail.”
I saw a faint smile come over his grave face. “You boys are all alike.
Here is Colonel Hamilton in a rage because the marquis would have given
his place to Captain Gimat, and now it is an obstinate Welshman must go
and get into mischief. I wish the whole army had your spirit, sir.”
I ventured to observe that Colonel Armand had been permitted to serve
as a volunteer, and that I had hoped that I too should be allowed a like
favour.
His Excellency smiled, and returned, “As a volunteer, Mr. Wynne--well,
as a volunteer. Ask Colonel Hamilton. I trust that is satisfactory. Are
the orders and detail all made out?”