“I should be very happy to call,” replied the young officer.
“My friend Lieutenant Somers is as bashful as a maiden of sweet sixteen,” interposed Captain de Banyan. “I beg your pardon, Mr. Guilford; though your name and fame are familiar to me, I have not the honor of your personal acquaintance; but, under the circumstances, I shall make it part of my duty to see that my friend does not neglect your reasonable request.”
“Thank you, sir,” replied the Senator.
“Captain de Banyan, at your service,” added the modest officer who had served in Italy and the Crimea.
“Thank you, Captain de Banyan. I see you are in the same regiment with Lieutenant Somers.”
“Yes, sir, I have that honor; and I assure you there is not a nobler and braver young officer in the Army of the Potomac. He reminds me very much of a splendid fellow I served with in the Crimea.”
“Ah! you were in the Crimea?”
“I was, sir; and he looks very much like Captain de Waite, whom I saw made a major on the field of Magenta, for the most daring bravery, by the Emperor of France.”
“You have seen service, captain,” added the Senator.
“A little, sir.”