"'Egmond-on-the-Sea, Oct. 4th.
"'My dear Sir—Although your son is wounded in the thigh and in the cheek, I can assure you he is in no sort of danger; both wounds are slight. The public and myself are the greatest sufferers by these accidents.
"'The General is a hero, with more sense than many others of that description, in that he is an ornament to his family and to his profession. I hope Mrs. Moore and his sister will be easy on his account, and that you are proud of such a son.
"'Yours,
"'Ralph Abercrombie.'"
This time it was Mrs. Fairbank who quoted words from the letter. She said, "'With more sense than many others of that description.' Pray, my dear Jack, what think you Sir Ralph might have meant to signify?"
"Why, ma'am, I take it thus. Many a man is brave and fights well, who in fact is nought else beside. Whereas General Moore is a man of extraordinary genius and great nobility of character, one who shines in whatever society he may find himself, and above all, who is ardently beloved by everybody that knows him. What else might Sir Ralph signify?"
"To my mind, 'tis a somewhat droll mode of expressing himself, though, none the less, 'tis clear what he thinks of the General. Were he my son, I could fain be proud of him. Not that pride is so suitable a feeling as thankfulness."
"In truth, ma'am, his mother is proud and thankful too. She thinks that all the whole world holds no man equal to her brave son. And I—I am disposed to think the same."
Then Jack carefully folded his precious letters, stowed them in his pocket, and stood up. "Come, Polly and Molly," he said. "There is time yet for a turn before dinner? We will go to the Pump Room."
Molly looked anxiously for leave, and flew to obey. A walk with Jack was always delightful. They entered the old Pump Room together, finding there, as usual, a large assemblage of gaily-dressed ladies and fashionably-attired gentlemen, some walking about, some lounging on seats. The ladies wore short-waisted gowns, chiefly of white or figured muslin, with short cloaks or mantles of bright hues, or short spencers of silk or coloured crape, and great feathered hats or bonnets, and plenty of large gilt and silver buttons; and many of the gentlemen were in tights and long flowered waistcoats and silver-buckled shoes, while others wore blue coats with brass buttons. Pig-tails too might still be seen, though soon to be discontinued.