‘We are here,’ said Lord Chester, ‘for a few words—it may be of farewell. My Lord Bishop, are you contented with your pupils?’
‘I give you all,’ he said solemnly, ‘my blessing. Go on and prosper. But as we may fail and so die, because victory is not of man, let those who have aught to say to each other say it now.’
Algernon spoke first, though all looked at each other.
‘I love your daughter Faith. Give us your consent, my Lord Bishop, before we go out to fight.’
The Bishop took the girl by the hand, and gave her to the young man, saying, ‘Blessed be thou, O my daughter!’
Then Clarence Veysey spoke likewise, and asked for Grace; and with such words did the father give her to him.
‘Now,’ said Algernon, ‘there needs no more. If we fall, we fall together.’
‘Yes,’ said Grace quietly, ‘we should not survive the cause.’
‘I hope,’ said Lord Chester, smiling gravely, ‘that one of you will live at least long enough to take my last message to Lady Carlyon. You will tell her, Grace, or you, my dear Professor, that my last thought was for her.’ But as he spoke the curtain of the tent was pulled aside, and Constance herself stood before them.
She was pale, and tears were in her eyes. She wore a riding-habit; but it was covered with dust.