"Certainly, my dear," assented that gentleman.
"May I ask her to remain with us for a few months then?" she said again, turning to Sir George.
"Undoubtedly you may. And if she is willing to stay in Halifax for the winter, with her husband's consent, of course, I shall be very happy to leave her to your care."
Thanking Sir George for acceding to her request, Mrs. Mason withdrew.
"It is a dilemma," said Colonel Head, after the door had closed. "And probably a more serious one than I imagined when I sanctioned it. Still I think the pros and contras will balance each other. The presence of a lady in our midst may render our march a little more troublesome, possibly make our speed a little slower, as well as necessitate greater care in our appointments on the road. But it will have a good effect, too. Mrs. Manning is a true lady and is thoroughly in love with her husband. So it will put the fellows on their honor and make them show a bit of genuine chivalry as well. She is as bright as a fairy, has lots of pluck, and what is more, has a capital voice. We can take care of her and I don't think we'll be out in the end."
"From your view of the case, I don't think you will," was Mason's comment. "Still the thing is so unprecedented that it will be impossible to eliminate the element of risk."
"Life would not be worth living if we could," returned Sir George. "We always have it."
"Well, here's to a successful march and happy ending, whether you take the lady with you or not."
And the two gentlemen touched their glasses and drank the toast.