“Shooting!” he repeated derisively. “About as much as is in St. James’s Park. Perhaps after a hard day’s work I might bag a brace of rabbits and one snipe. It’s been poached for years. My father was an old man, and let things slide----” “Still, I suppose you will go over there and pull the place together a bit?” “No, I could not stand it for more than a week; the loneliness and dreariness seem to penetrate to one’s very bones.” “And you are not keen about living in town--eh? You are like a newly imported remount--everything is strange, and you don’t know what to do with yourself?” “Yes, Johnny, you have hit the nail right on the head; and if you can give me some sort of lead, I’m your man.” Major Sutton puffed at his cigar, removed it from his mouth, examined it carefully, and then blurted out-- “I say, why don’t you marry?” “Marry!” repeated his companion. “What an idea!” “Yes, man alive, and a good one; people do it every day. You stare as if you had never heard of the institution. Look at me”--and he tapped his waistcoat: “I am married.” “Yes, but I--I am not a ladies’ man.” “So much the better; _they_ never marry.” “And I’m too old,” objected Colonel Doran. “Bosh!” “No girl would have me.” “Well, what do you say to a fine young woman of five-and-thirty--or--a widow?” “I’m not a society man, or in the way of meeting ladies.” “Because you won’t go out when you are invited, except among the old married folk of the regiment. I can introduce you to one or two really suitable young women, with good looks, a little money, and no nonsense about them. There is Flora Davey! Why, her father commanded the 25th Bengal Cavalry. You remember him. She was born in Lahore?” “Yes; and I was at her christening,” he supplemented grimly. “No, no! that would never work. Thank you, old man, I believe I’ll stay as I am.” “But look here, Pat, you remember when I got that crack on my head at polo and was shunted home--years ago: it nearly broke my heart, but matrimony cured me. I met Maudie on the Riviera my first winter--and she took to me and I to her. You see, I was an invalid, and she pitied me, and talked over her rich old pater. People said nasty things, and it was a lie; I married Maudie for herself only, though money is certainly a power. Now the old man is gone, she has a clear three thousand a year, and I have come into a comfortable legacy. Maudie is a confirmed match-maker, and tries her best to settle her friends.” “Yes, like the fox who lost his tail,” remarked the bachelor. “Bar jokes, come along and dine with us quietly on Friday.” Colonel Doran hesitated; he knocked the ash off his cigar reflectively and then began-- “You are very kind, Johnny, old man, but----” “Oh, no, I’m not going to make up a match for you on the spot--no fear: but just take a look at me and mine--as a practical illustration of my argument--no party: I want you and Maudie to get to know one another better--she likes you so much----”