Private Instructions.
“Look here, Bell,” said Major Rockley, as he stood in his quarters, with his regimental servant before him; “you were drunk again last night?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then you are not ashamed of it?”
“Yes, sir, very much ashamed of it. It’s my weakness, sir.”
“Weakness, you scoundrel? It’s your blackguardly conduct. You have been under arrest so many times for this disgraceful behaviour, and I have such a black list against you, that if I lay it before Colonel Lascelles he will have you flogged.”
“But you won’t do that, sir.”
“Yes, I will, you scoundrel. No: I’ll give you another chance.”
“Thank you, sir; I was sure you would,” said the young man, flushing slightly, and with a strange look in his face.
“By the way, what time did Mr Denville come back to his quarters?”