"She is so, Zeb, she is indeed. But I had no idea——"
"Nor did I, sir, till a few days ago and then it came on me—ah, it come on me like a flash, your honour, quick as a musket-ball!"
"Then, if she's willing, Zeb, marry by all means and before I go I'll——"
"Begging your pardon, sir, can't be done—not to be thought on—if you wed why then I wed, if so be as she'll have me, sir, and vicey-versey, but if you don't, I don't and versey-vicey as in dooty bound, sir."
"But, if you love each other—why not, Zeb?"
"Because sir, you a bachelor, me a bachelor now and for ever, amen!"
"A Gad's name—why?"
"Your honour, 'tis become a matter o' dooty wi' me d'ye see."
"You're a great fool, Sergeant, aye—a fool, Zebedee, but a very faithful fool, Zeb!"
"Aye sir! And yonder's Inchbourne!" said the Sergeant, pointing to a hamlet bowered amid trees in the valley below them.