'Very probably; was he of ours?'
'If not quite a friend, one at least in whom I have an interest.'
'And his name?'
'Chute—Captain Trevor Chute.'
'I am he you speak of,' replied the other, feeling considerably mystified.
'You!' exclaimed the lady, colouring.
'There is no other so named in the regiment.'
'You the Trevor Chute who was engaged to—to Clare Collingwood!' she exclaimed.
It was Chute's turn to colour now at this blunt remark, and with some surprise and annoyance he said:
'I knew not that our engagement was such a common topic as to be known to every chance stranger.'