'No, I never saw him before.'
He spoke quite naturally, and in spite of everything I could not help being convinced that he and Paul Edgecumbe had met for the first time.
'Have you heard from Devonshire lately?'
'No,' I replied.
'Then you don't know the news?'
'What news?' I asked eagerly.
'Miss Blackwater and I are engaged.'
'Congratulations,' I said; 'you'll be the envy of all the marriageable men in Devonshire.'
'Shan't I just! Yes, I'm the happiest man in the British Army, and that's saying a great deal.'
'I suppose it is publicly announced?' I said.