"How do you feel now, my dear?"
"Only a little cold, papa."
"Dear me--and it is a very hot day!" remarked the colonel, wiping his brows, for he had been walking fast.
"Is there any news stirring in the town?" asked Mrs. Cleeve.
"Nothing particular. Captain Andinnian has sold out. He could not do anything else under the circumstances."
"It is a dreadful blight upon the young man's career!" said Mrs. Cleeve.
"There was no help for it, Lucinda. Had he been a general he must have done the same. A man who has a brother working in chains, cannot remain an officer in the Queen's service. Had the brother been hanged, I think the Commander-in-chief would have been justified in cashiering Captain Andinnian, if he had not taken the initiative," added the colonel, who was very jealous of his order.
Miss Blake turned with a flush of emotion. This news fell on her heart like lead. Her first thought when the colonel spoke had been--If he has left the army, there will be nothing to bring him again to Winchester.
"Captain Andinnian cannot be held responsible for what his brother did," she said.
"Of course not," admitted the colonel.