“Very, my lord. In these times everybody is subject to the chances of war, as I observed that evening to Major Peel and Colonel Douglas, upon taking my leave of them: ‘a few hours such mirth as this—c’est autant de pris sur l’ennemi’—the French soldier’s proverb.”
“You are right. How did you find Admiral Boxer?”
“Rough and good-hearted—working very hard.”
“I heard several anecdotes of you and the admiral with the Sardinians.”
“Did you? Then you must have heard of my losing four horses.”
“No! I heard of your having lost one, while paying your addresses to the fair Mrs. Seacole.”
“That was it. We had a good laugh over it, at all events. Mrs. Seacole took a deal of trouble in the matter, and found the pony again. She is an excellent woman, kind to everybody, I can assure you.”
“Ah, yes, I know her well; she paid me a visit on her way to the Crimea.”
“She told me she had spent a few days with Miss Nightingale.”
“Talking of Miss Nightingale—she is very much altered.”