“No, not to-night. Please make my excuses to my lady. It’s a sad thing to be so weak of health, Roy. Sadder still to see this lovely garden spoiled by the trampling of armed men.”
“Yes, it’s a great pity,” replied Roy; “but we’ll soon set it straight again as soon as the enemy’s sent to the right-about; and who would not sacrifice a few flowers for the sake of king and country?”
“Ah, who, indeed!” cried the secretary, with a slight flush coming into his cheeks. “Going?”
“Yes; I must join my mother now.”
“And—er—are you on duty to-night?”
“Not till twelve o’clock,” said Roy, frankly. “Then I have to go my rounds, and again at four. I hope the enemy will not disturb us.”
“How can they?” said the secretary. “They cannot deliver an assault without rafts and ladders, or with boats; and we should see their preparations long before they could attack us.”
“Yes, I suppose so,” said Roy, thoughtfully. “The only thing I dread is a surprise.”
“Surprise!” cried the secretary, starting violently. “Don’t say that.”
“Sorry I did say it,” replied Roy, smiling; “for it made you jump as if you had been shot.”