“Thank you, sir; that decides me. I'll see you again and fix the hour of going, or rather I'll conform myself to your arrangements.”
“Very well, colonel.”
“What do you think of my new acquaintance, Col. Warner, Herbert?” asked Melville when they were alone.
“He seems to have a very good opinion of himself,” answered Herbert.
“Yes, he is very well pleased with himself. He isn't a man exactly to my taste, but he seems a representative Western man. He does not look much like a consumptive?”
“No, sir.”
“I feel an interest in him on that account,” said Melville, seriously. “If at any time I could become as strong and stalwart I would willingly surrender one-half, nay nine-tenths of my fortune. Ill health is a great drag upon a man; it largely curtails his enjoyments, and deprives him of all ambition.”
“I don't see why his remedy wouldn't work well in your case, Mr. Melville,” said Herbert, earnestly.
“Perhaps it may. At any rate, I feel inclined to try it. I am glad the colonel is going to travel with us, as I shall be able to question him about the details of his cure. He seems a bluff, genial fellow, and though I don't expect to enjoy his companionship much, I hope to derive some benefit from it.”
“By the way, Mr. Melville, I met an old acquaintance while I was out walking,” said Herbert.