He was a true gentleman at heart, and in spite of his misery and disappointment, that which he had just heard gave him some satisfaction. It had been one of his bitterest griefs—one with a poisoned sting—that feeling which always haunted him, that Rachel Linton should prefer a private soldier to him, an officer and a gentleman. For that she did love Gray he had long felt certain. Gray, or Murray, then, was a gentleman, who, like many other gentlemen, had enlisted, and served as a very brave soldier. Yes, he was, Captain Smithers owned to himself, a very brave soldier, though he had felt that he hated him; while now—now—
“I’ll fight it down,” said Captain Smithers to himself.
“Heaven helping me, I’ll be a gentleman as well as an officer. He has won, and I have lost. I ought to like him for her sake, and I will.”
It was a brave effort, and it required all his strength—but he did it. He looked first at Rachel Linton, and then at the sweet sympathising face of her cousin, and went up close to them.
“Rachel,” he said, holding out his hand and speaking in a low voice only heard by her and Miss Sinclair, “I give up. Let me be a dear friend, if I can be nothing more.”
Miss Linton held out her hand frankly and cordially, and he held it a moment in his. Then dropping it, he walked straight across to where Colonel Hanson was standing with Murray in the midst of a group, and holding out his hand, he said,—
“Mr Murray, I am your debtor for my life. Henceforth let us, too, be very dear friends.”
The two young men clasped hands in a firm strong grip, each reading the other’s thoughts, and they instinctively knew that henceforth all enmity between them was at end. It was all Frank Murray could do to stand firm, for he knew how great an effort this must have cost his rival, and he mentally vowed to repay him all.
“Well,” said Major Sandars, laughing, “this is a surprise indeed. Gentlemen all, Private Gray was so good and true a man in the private’s mess, that I for one am quite sure he will be a welcome addition to ours.”
“Mr Murray will grant that I have always looked upon him with respect,” said Mr Linton, cordially. “I owe him too deep a debt,” he said, holding out his hand, “not to feel intensely gratified at this change in his position.”