'What do you suppose he meant,' she asked bitterly, 'knowing you had to deal with the Guard?'
'Ah!' and a slow smile dawned in his eyes; 'now I wonder what he meant knowing I had to deal with the Guard?'
Valerie frowned again; her words were not particularly expedient under the circumstances, but she disliked having them flung back at her.
'I beg your pardon. Of course I know nothing of—of these things. The matter concerns you only. But I thought, and I am sorry for the mistake, that you looked like a man!'
There was a jingle of spurs behind her as she was about to turn away, and Colonel Wallenloup strode up hurriedly.
'Captain Rallywood, why are you not wearing the uniform of your regiment—of the Guard?' he asked in a loud tone.
There was a stir amongst the people about them; many stopped and drew nearer to hear the end of this unprecedented conversation.
'Because I intend to resign my commission to-morrow, sir,' replied Rallywood haughtily.
'On the part of the Guard, I beg of you to reconsider that decision,' urged Wallenloup.
He shook hands gravely with the young man, then detaching a star of gun-metal from his breast, he awkwardly attempted to fasten it to the lapel of Rallywood's coat. 'I see you have not the star of the Guard. May I give you mine? Unziar, see to this; I cannot attach it.'