"He that taketh the sword shall perish by the sword!"... would sound particularly odd in a military chapel, especially with his elucidation of them, for he is the very poorest preacher I ever heard. Yet a worthy man, a most sincere man: did a world of good out in the Crimera: used to spend hours daily in teaching our men to read and write, got personally acquainted with every fellow in the regiment, knew all their private histories, wrote their letters home sought them out in the battle-field and in the hospital, read to them and cheered them, comforted them, and closed their eyes. There was not an officer in the regiment more deservedly beloved than our chaplin. He is an admirable fellow-- everywhere but in the pulpit. Nevertheless I attend his chapel, as I have always been in the habit of attending some Christian worshi somewhere, because it is the simplest way of showing that I am not ashamed of my Master before men. Therefore, I would not smile at Trehune's astonishing fit of piety, but simply assented: at which he evidently was disappointed. You see, I'm turning resectable and going to church. I wonder such an exceedingly respectable and religious fellow as you, Urquhart, has not tried to make me go sooner." "If you go against your will, and because it's respectable, you had better stop away." "Thank you; but suppose I have my own reasons for going?" He is not a deep fellow; there is no deceit in the lad. All his faults are uppermost, which makes them bearable. "Come, out with it. Better make a clean breast to me. It will not be the first time." "Well, then--ahem!"--twisting his sash and looking down with most extraordinary modesty,--"the fact is, _she_ wished it." "Who?" "The lady you know of. In truth, I may as well tell you, for I want you to speak up for me to her father, and also to break it to my governor. I've taken your advice and been and gone and done for myself." "Married!" for his manner was so queer that I should not have wondered at even that catastrophe. "Not quite, but next door to it. Popped and been accepted. Yes, since Friday, I have been an engaged man, Doctor." Behind his foolishness was some natural feeling, mixed with a rather comical awe of his own position. For me, I was a good deal surprised; yet he might have come to a worse end. To a rich young fellow of twenty-one, the world is full of many more dangerous pitfalls than matrimony. So I expressed myself in the customary congratulations, adding that I concluded the lady was the one I had seen? Treherne nodded. "Sir William knows it?" "Not yet. Didn't I tell you I wanted you to break it to him? Though he will consent, of course. Her father is quite respectable--a clergyman, you are aware; and she is such a handsome girl--would do credit to any man's taste. Also, she likes me--a trifle!" And he pulled his moustache with a satisfied recognition of his great felicity.