“But she has accepted him.”
“Silly girl. Bit taken with the fine-looking fellow, that’s all. Don’t know her own mind yet. This is springing a mine.”
“Ah well, the thing’s settled, so you may just as well retreat from your position, Jem.”
“But I shall not retreat, sir. I shall hold my position as long as I can, and when I am driven back, I shall do my duty as one in command of a light cavalry regiment should: I shall harass the enemy’s flanks and rear. He’ll get no rest from me.”
“Hang it all, Jem, don’t do that—don’t be rude to the young fellow,” cried the baronet in dismay.
“I—I don’t approve of it at all, Jack. I don’t really.”
“But the thing’s done, man—the thing’s done.”
“Then why do you send the fellow to me?”
“Well, I thought it would be a bit civil to you, Jem, and respectful, and—”
“It is not either,” cried the major. “I look upon it, knowing as you do how I am attached to Glynne, as a regular insult.”