"Lieutenant Barton is not the judge of what officers are suitable for our troop; and you may take it for granted that if you had not proved yourself worthy of the selection made, you would very soon have been transferred back." "Don't you believe it, Vincent," cried Barton, whose face was flushed, and whose manner indicated that he had been drinking overnight, with the consequence that he was irritable and bitter with every one about him. "The whole service is being neglected, or else there would very soon be a weeding out in this troop." Brace had been very grave and calm so far. Again and again he had turned aside the sneers and innuendoes of Barton, who for months had grown more and more offensive as he found that he could insult Brace with impunity; but now he was startled by the change which came over his brother-officer, for Brace flushed up, his eyes glittered, and in a voice that I did not recognise as his own, he said-- "Yes, sir, and Lieutenant Barton would be removed, perhaps disgraced, for insolence to his brother-officers, brutality to the people under him, and conduct generally unworthy of an officer and a gentleman." "What?" cried Barton. "You understand my words, sir," said Brace. "You have forced me by your treatment to turn at last, and tell you that I will submit to your insults no longer, neither will I allow you to annoy Vincent." "You will not allow me!" "I will not. Do you think I am a child because I have been forbearing? Your insolence has been beyond bounds." "Then why did you bear it?" cried Barton. "For the honour of the service, sir. Because I would not degrade myself and you in the eyes of our men by descending to a quarrel." "How brave!" cried Barton, mockingly; but Brace paid no heed, and went on. "Because, sir, I would not be your boon companion, and drink and generally conduct myself in a way unworthy of an English officer in the high position I hold in this country, I have been constantly marked out as the butt for your offensive sarcasm, even as far back as the time when, if you had possessed a spark of manliness or feeling, you would have respected me and shown consideration for one who was passing through such an ordeal as I pray Heaven you may be spared." "Bah! A parade of your sufferings," said Barton, mockingly. Brace winced, but he went on calmly. "I have seen all and borne all, and even now I should not have spoken but for your insult to Vincent, whom I heard you threaten to horse-whip." "Which he daren't do," I cried angrily. "Silence!" cried Brace sternly. "You are no longer a boy, and this is not a school." "Indeed!" said Barton, looking me up and down with an offensive laugh. "I thought it was." I winced now in my turn, and then looked wonderingly at Brace, who uttered the word-- "Contemptible!" Barton took a step forward angrily.