“I hope you are not upset by these young people’s precipitancy,” said Mrs Dare quietly to the Colonel, under cover of the general talk beyond. “On the contrary, my dear--, let me see, what _is_ the exact relationship between us now? My niece, who is my daughter as it were, is now your daughter also. And your boy is my nephew-in-law. What does that make me to you?” “I give it up,” smiled Mrs Dare. “We will remain the best of friends.” “This makes us even closer than that. However, as I was saying, I’m entirely and absolutely pleased with them. They’ve done the natural thing under the circumstances. I’ve seen the same thing happen many times before, and it generally turns out well. There are always risks in war, of course----” “And as to that we can only leave them in God’s hands, and hope for the best.” “Amen to that, best of friends! My girl has at all events shown wisdom in her choice of a mother. We will hope ... and--er--pray”--he added, with a touch of the naïve shyness of a man who was in the habit of keeping his inmost feelings very strictly to himself,--“for their welfare and happiness.” “Yes.... The times are very trying and will probably be more so, but I’m inclined to think they may be the means of bringing out all that is best in us all.” “War does that ... as something of a set-off for the darker side of it. For it also brings out the worst unfortunately.” “Here are the boys,” said Mrs Dare, jumping up at the sound of heavy boots on the path outside. “They generally come in together and they’re always hungry. I’m the commissariat,” and she hastened away to see to their provisioning. “Hel-lo!” cried Noel, in a pair of old riding-breeches and puttees, at sight of the assembly, while Gregor, similarly apparelled, looked eagerly over his shoulder in hopes of an approving spark in Honor’s eye. “Quick, Mac!--salute, ye spalpeen, or ye’ll be shot at dawn. Here’s a blooming little Horficer!” and they both drew themselves up and saluted Con in smartest possible military style. “Why,” prattled Noel. “I’m blowed if it isn’t just old Con,--and Alma! So you two have managed to hit the same day this time.” “Yes, we’ve managed it for once, No,” said Con. “How are you, Mac? Allow me to introduce you to my wife,” with a proprietorial wave towards Alma. “No!--really?” jerked Noel. “Really and truly,” laughed Alma. “I hope it isn’t objectionable to you in any way.” “Lord, no! Quite the other way. If there’s two things I admire about old Con they’re his uniform and his jolly old cheek. Think of him going and getting you to marry him right away like that.” “He’s off to-morrow morning, you see, so I thought it best to make sure of him.” “He’s really going? I wish we were.” “How do things stand with you now, Mac?” asked Con. “Any nearer bull’s-eye?”