But the Duchess, although she distinctly overheard these complimentary remarks, looked no whit abashed, and took no notice of them whatsoever; but on the contrary, she advanced steadily onwards until she reached the upper end of the great drawing-room. Then, turning round and bowing to the company, she said in a clear, ringing tone, “I trust, my friends, you will pardon my long absence, for I had some important arrangements to complete. Allow me now to introduce to you a gentleman upon whom, in the presence of many of you, Her Majesty was pleased personally to confer the Victoria Cross, the highest distinction it is in her power to bestow, in reward for his conspicuous gallantry upon the field of battle. In introducing Sergeant Wilfred Smith, with the fame of whose exploits all England is ringing, I have also to introduce a young gentleman of ancient lineage, of great misfortunes nobly borne, and of stainless honour, Mr. Wilfred Manwaring of Holmcastle Manor, my son’s best and truest friend, and the brother of a young lady whose beauty, modesty, and sweet disposition have won for her a host of friends, and whose misfortunes and friendless condition ought to have protected her from the baseless calumnies of false and malicious tongues. Ribblesdale, my dear son, let me make over your friend to your care, and I beg you will make him personally acquainted with my guests.” In a moment the young Duke had seized Wilfred by the hand, which he wrung heartily, amidst a murmur of applause from the company. “Now, your Grace, let me have my innings,” cried Colonel Hawkins, who looked as if he would have burst if what he had to say was bottled up any longer, and pushing through the crowd, he, in his turn, grasped Wilfred by the hand and thus addressed him:-- “Mr. Manwaring, I wish to tell you that I have had my eye on you ever since you joined my regiment as a private, and I never knew you to commit an action unbecoming a soldier and a gentleman; and I would say the same if you were plain Private Smith, instead of being a man of ancient family and considerable fortune. For your conspicuous gallantry in the field, for which, as Colonel of the Regiment, I feel I personally owe you a debt of gratitude, you have already received the Victoria Cross from the hands of the Queen; but I have now to inform you, that H.R.H. the General Commanding-in-Chief has felt it to be his duty, as it has been also his pleasure, to recommend you for further promotion, and I have now the satisfaction of putting into your hands your commission as Lieutenant in the army, and in place of Lieutenant Grimwood, who retires, in your own Regiment, to which you are a credit and an ornament. (‘Hear, hear,’ from Captain Parkhurst.) I never had more pleasure in welcoming a young gentleman to our society than I have at this moment in welcoming you.”