"You see, lad, I have campaigned in many countries, and have seen many women. God bless them all! I have liked an eye here, a cheek there, a foot and ankle yonder, a fine figure in this place, a merry laugh in another, spirit in a third, meekness in a fourth, but I have never seen one, that had all these traits and characteristics blended, that measured up to my own ideal." "And what is your ideal, may I ask? You will forgive my curiosity. I am less a man than I seem." It was verging on the truth with a vengeance. "I have lived sequestered most of my life, and you cannot think how it interests me to have the views of so experienced a man of the world and so veteran a soldier as yourself upon this subject." He looked sharply at me as I sat at the head of the table toying with my glass, as if he suspected some hidden meaning in my words, but I never appeared more innocent and guileless in my life than at that moment. "Well," said he, "'tis a strange turn the conversation hath taken, but I know not why I should not humour you. My ideal maid, then, will be a woman who is first of all tall, about your own size. She shall have hair of sunshine colour and eyes of blue, and her cheek shall be fair to contrast with my own dark visage. In shape she shall be plump, not slender. Her hands shapely and white, but strong. I want none of your puling, lackadaisical, sentimental misses. She shall be a woman of spirit, one with courage enough not to run a-squeak at the sight of a mouse, one that can handle a sword or press the trigger of a weapon and discharge it without shutting her eyes at the report, one who can ride by my side if need be. As for learning, I want none of your dull and stupid minxes. Let her be read so that she can talk about something beside fallals, furbelows, children, and housewifery; one who could meet me on some terms of equality, who can preside gracefully over my establishment and mother my many children." I thanked God that the candle-light did not disclose the furious colour in my cheek. "Think you," said I, "that such a woman would be a good mother?" "She would bring forth a race of soldiers," was the answer, "which is what I should like best to father." "And what have you," I asked, forgetting that I was not a man in my indignation at his unbounded and condescending assurance, "to offer in exchange for this female paragon you have described?" "What have I to offer?" He started to his feet violently and leaned over the table. "This is past endurance, sir," he said in sudden temper, striking the board hotly with his fist. "What do you mean?" "Nothing, nothing offensive," I returned quickly, endeavouring to keep my temper and be calm as his anger rose. "'Tis but a jest. I meant no offence." His temper subsided as suddenly as it had arisen. "As you say," he answered, after a moment's reflection; "'tis idle talk. You ask what I have to offer? Truth to tell, I never thought of it in that way."