He had also a disposition to esteem lightly the family which, having produced a man, settled down after that effort for generations to enjoy the country’s pay. Boys are unjust; but Nevil thought of the country mainly, arguing that we should not accept the country’s money for what we do not ourselves perform. These traits of his were regarded as characteristics hopeful rather than the reverse; none of his friends and relatives foresaw danger in them. He was a capital boy for his elders to trot out and banter. Mrs. Rosamund Culling usually went to his room to see him and doat on him before he started on his rounds of an evening. She suspected that his necessary attention to his toilet would barely have allowed him time to finish his copy of the letter. Certain phrases had bothered him. The thrice recurrence of “ma patrie” jarred on his ear. “Sentiments” afflicted his acute sense of the declamatory twice. “C’est avec les sentiments du plus profond regret” : and again, “Je suis bien sûr que vous comprendrez mes sentiments, et m’accorderez l’honneur que je réclame au nom de ma patrie outragée.” The word “patrie” was broadcast over the letter, and “honneur” appeared four times, and a more delicate word to harp on than the others! “Not to Frenchmen,” said his friend Rosamund. “I would put ‘Je suis convaincu’: it is not so familiar.” “But I have written out the fair copy, ma’am, and that alteration seems a trifle.” “I would copy it again and again, Nevil, to get it right.” “No: I’d rather see it off than have it right,” said Nevil, and he folded the letter. How the deuce to address it, and what direction to write on it, were further difficulties. He had half a mind to remain at home to conquer them by excogitation. Rosamund urged him not to break his engagement to dine at the Halketts’, where perhaps from his friend Colonel Halkett, who would never imagine the reason for the inquiry, he might learn how a letter to a crack French regiment should be addressed and directed. This proved persuasive, and as the hour was late Nevil had to act on her advice in a hurry. His uncle Everard enjoyed a perusal of the manuscript in his absence. CHAPTER II. UNCLE, NEPHEW, AND ANOTHER