"Whatever may be before them, you may depend the Guards will be in the van," said Mr. Merridew, grandly. "The chances are that many of them will never come back; but we won't think of that. Suppose they are away a year. Think of Ralph and of yourself. Imagine his torments all that time, fighting for his country, and yet uncertain of you! How can you expect him--not to do his duty, for that we know he will--but to be as efficient as a soldier with a single and a settled mind?" "He is certain enough," said Nan, sulking sweetly, "if he can wait." "But nothing is so uncertain as such a future!" "Well, I can't marry him before he goes, can I?" It was said flippantly, yet with a certain feeling far back in the mind. "I don't know about that. Would you if you could, Nan?" "It might save complications, if he is to be away a year! Suppose some one else were to come home during the year, you know!" added Nan, with undiminished flippancy; yet this was the thought at the back of her brain, and she was entertaining it in bitter earnest. "Ah, poor Dent!" said Merridew, advisedly, as he grasped her meaning. "You needn't pity him; he will come back rich, if not with a wife," said the girl whom Devenish knew so well. Mr. Merridew came back to his point, after a pause intended to break the thread of painful association, as it did. "But would you marry Ralph if there was time?" "There isn't time." "I don't know. I wish I knew the date he sails. It may be later than we think." And the budding strategist dropped the subject with a tact which was growing on him with the conduct of this affair. But first thing next morning Ralph and he were closeted in his private office. "Splendid! splendid!" cried the younger man. "Another word from you might have spoiled everything. I will run down this minute and say the rest for myself." "But is it possible, Ralph?" "With a special license it would be possible to-morrow." "And how long have you?" "I hope a month. Time enough for banns, if you like. We can get them put up this Sunday." John Merridew looked at the young man sitting before him, his dark face flushed, his dark eyes sparkling--handsome, eager, and exultant--without a misgiving or a qualm for mortal eye to see. "You are very confident, Ralph!" "I am." CHAPTER XXVI HOMEWARD BOUND