Jeff suggested that perhaps she might be impregnable, but the old fellow affirmed that no woman was this; that no fortress was too strong to be carried; that it all depended on the assailant and the vehemence of the assault; and if one did not succeed, another would. The young man brightened. His mentor, however, dashed his rising hopes by saying: "But mark this, sir, no coward can succeed. Women are rank cowards themselves, and they demand courage in their conquerors. Do you think a woman will marry a man who trembles before her? By Jove, sir! He must make her tremble!"
Jeff admitted dubiously that this sounded like wisdom. The Major burst out, "Wisdom, sir! It is the wisdom of Solomon, who had a thousand wives!"
From this time the Major constituted himself Jeff's ally, and was ready to take the field on his behalf against any and all comers. Therefore, when he came into the hall one day when Rose was at the piano, running her fingers idly over the keys, whilst Lawrence was leaning over her talking, he exclaimed:
"Hello! what treason's this? I'll tell Jeff. He was consulting me only yesterday about—"
Lawrence muttered an objurgation; but Rose wheeled around on the piano-stool and faced him.
—"Only yesterday about the best mode of winning—" He stopped tantalizingly.
"Of winning what? I am so interested." She rose and stood just before him with a cajoling air. The Major shut his mouth tight.
"I'm as dumb as an oyster. Do you think I would betray my friend's confidence—for nothing? I'm as silent as the oracle of Delphi."
Lawrence looked anxious, and Rose followed the old man closely.
"I'll pay you anything."