"Ah! but would he, my dear? What of Hugh, of the Rabbit, of Torps? With them it was bred in the bone--with me it was not. For years I and mine have despised the soldier and the sailor: for years you and yours have despised the counting-house. And all that is changing. Over there the tinkers, the tailors, the merchants, are standing together with the old breed of soldier--the two lots are beginning to understand one another--to respect one another. You're learning from us, and we're learning from you, though _he_ would never have believed that possible." Jim was standing very close to the girl, and his voice was low. "It's because I'm not very sure of one of the lessons I've learnt: it's because at times I do think it hard that others should not take their fair share that I must get back to that show quick--damn quick. "I want to be worthy of that old ancestor of yours--now that I'm going to marry one of his family. I know we're all mad--I know the world's mad; but, Syb, dear, you wouldn't have me sane, would you; not for ever? And I shall be if I stay here any longer...." "I understand, Jim," she answered, after a while. "I understand exactly. And I wouldn't have you sane, except just now for a little while. Because it's a glorious madness, and"--she put both her arms round his neck and kissed him passionately--"and I love you." Which was quite illogical and inconsequent--but there you are. What is not illogical and inconsequent nowadays? From which it will be seen that Jim Denver was not of the first of the three types which I have mentioned. He did not love the game for itself alone; my masters, there are not many who do. But there was no job in England in which he would prove invaluable: though there were many which with a little care he might have adorned beautifully. And just because there _is_ blood in the counting-house, which only requires to be brought out to show itself, he knew that he must go back--he knew that it was his job. * * * * * That wild enthusiasm which he had shared with other subalterns in his battalion before they had been over the first time was lacking now; he was calmer--more evenly balanced. He had attained the courage of knowledge instead of the courage of ignorance.