Ulysses, taking instant exception to the raised voice, sprang to Mr. Beaumaris’s side, and barked a challenge at Bertram. Mr. Beaumaris dropped a hand on his head. “Yes, very rude, Ulysses,” he agreed. “But never mind! Bear in mind that it is not everyone who holds me in such high esteem as you do!”
Much confused, Bertram stammered. “I didn’t mean—I beg your pardon! I only meant—She never said a word of this to me!”
“Didn’t she? How secretive females are, to be sure! Perhaps she felt that her parents should be the first persons to learn the news.”
“Well, I suppose she might,” Bertram said doubtfully. “But considering she said she couldn’t marry anyone, because she made ’em all think she was an heiress—”
“She didn’t make me think anything of the sort,” said Mr. Beaumaris.
“Oh, I see! ” said Bertram, his brow clearing. “Well, I must say, sir, I’m dashed glad, because I had a notion she liked you more than all the rest! I—I wish you very happy! And, of course, I do see that it makes a difference to my debt to you, only I don’t think I should let you pay the other debts, because it is not in the least your affair, and—”
“Now, don’t let us go into all that again!” begged Mr. Beaumaris. “Just tell me what you propose to do if I don’t pay your debts!”
“I thought of enlisting in a cavalry regiment, if they would take me,” confessed Bertram. “Under an assumed name, of course!”
“I should think that a cavalry regiment would suit you very well,” said Mr. Beaumaris. “But it will be very much more comfortable for you, and for all of us, if you join it under your own name, and as a cornet. What do you want? a Hussar regiment?”
These incredible words made Bertram turn first red, and then while, swallow convulsively, and finally blurt out: “You c-couldn’t mean that! After this! I—Oh, sir, do you mean it?”