The aide-de-camp slightly elevated his brows, as though to imply his sense of what it might not have become him to characterize in words.
“Very strange, indeed!” repeated his Excellency; “is n't it, Belcour?”
“Very strange, indeed, your Excellency,” said the other, bowing.
“There could have been no disrespect in it,” said his Lordship, good-humoredly; “of that I'm quite certain. Send Colonel Massingbred here.”
“He's gone off, Massingbred,” said the Viceroy, as the other appeared.
“So I have just learned, my Lord. I conclude he was not aware—that he was unacquainted with—”
“Oh, of course, Massingbred,” broke in the Viceroy, laughing, “the fault is all with my predecessors in office; they never invited these men as they ought to have done. Have you sounded M'Casky as to the appointment?”
“Yes, my Lord; he thinks 'we might do worse.'”
“A qualified approval, certainly. Perhaps he meant we might select himself!”
“I rather opine, my Lord, that he regards Nelligan's promotion as likely to give offence to Mr. O'Connell, unless that he be himself consulted upon it.”