"Zounds! I must look out," thought I, "or there may be a blank in Lindsay's muster-roll to-morrow."
CHAPTER XIII.
THE HANDKERCHIEF.
"It is, indeed, singular that we should meet again, and so soon, too!" said the elder lady, who, notwithstanding the silver tinge amid her auburn hair, still bore unmistakable traces of a beautiful person; "your regiment is, I think, a Horse Grenadier one?"
"Yes, madam."
"The Guards?"
"No—it is the Scots Greys, or Second Dragoons—yet we boast ourselves 'Second to None.'"
"A proud vaunt," said she, smiling at my manner.
She was silent for a few moments, during which I was conscious that her daughter was observing me with some interest. As our officers did not then wear epaulettes, but simply a silver aiguilette, her next observation was an awkward one for me.
"You are a captain, I hope?" said she, smiling.