McKay and Hyde were brought forward and presented to the Commander-in-Chief.
"Mr. McKay, I know your name. You behaved admirably at Inkerman. I have just had a letter, too, about you from England."
"About me, my lord?" said Stanislas, astonished.
"Yes, from Lord Essendine, your cousin. And, to oblige him, no less than on your own account, I must renew my offer of an appointment on the headquarter staff."
McKay looked at the colonel and shook his head.
"You are very good, my lord, but I prefer to stay with my regiment."
"Colonel Blythe, you really must spare him to me," said Lord Raglan. "We want him, and more of his stamp."
"Your wishes are law, my lord. I should prefer to keep Mr. McKay, but I will not stand in his way if he desires to go. I shall not miss him so much now that everything is in good working order."
McKay was disposed still to protest, but Lord Raglan cut him short by saying—
"Come over to headquarters to-morrow, and report yourself to General Airey. As for you, my fine fellow," Lord Raglan went on, turning to Hyde, "you are still a non-commissioned officer, I see."