“Of course I am. Your lordship was in the glorious charge at Balaklava. I hear that the charger your lordship rides is the one you rode on that memorable day.” “Yes, it is; and we were both very fortunate, as you see.” “Very, my lord. In these times everybody is subject to the chances of war, as I observed that evening to Major Peel and Colonel Douglas, upon taking my leave of them: ‘a few hours such mirth as this--_c’est autant de pris sur l’ennemi_’--the French soldier’s proverb.” “You are right. How did you find Admiral Boxer?” “Rough and good-hearted--working very hard.” “I heard several anecdotes of you and the admiral with the Sardinians.” “Did you? Then you must have heard of my losing four horses.” “No! I heard of your having lost one, while paying your addresses to the fair Mrs. Seacole.” “That was it. We had a good laugh over it, at all events. Mrs. Seacole took a deal of trouble in the matter, and found the pony again. She is an excellent woman, kind to everybody, I can assure you.” “Ah, yes, I know her well; she paid me a visit on her way to the Crimea.” “She told me she had spent a few days with Miss Nightingale.” “Talking of Miss Nightingale--she is very much altered.” “Very much indeed. She has looked much worse, but is now improving fast. Her life was in the greatest danger.” “So I heard.” “I hope Lord and Lady Stratford de Redcliffe are well.” “Yes. I had the pleasure of dining with them at Therapia last Sunday: they inquired after you.” “I am very happy to hear it, and shall soon pay my respects to them. I much regretted not being in the Crimea during their visit. The _Caradoc_ left Balaklava the day the _Robert Lowe_ left Constantinople; we therefore passed at sea.” “So I heard. The young ladies were very much pleased with their trip; but Lady Paget remained there. I suppose you saw her?” “Yes, I did. Her ladyship was staying on board the _Star of the South_. I called several times, but at last met her ladyship in the camp, driving out in a species of vehicle, and accompanied by Lord Paget on horseback, to whom I had the honour of being introduced by her ladyship. She really looked so pretty, and her equipage was so bad, that a Canova would have sculptured her as a Venus in a wheelbarrow, instead of in a shell.” “Well, I must say, that would be a new, and, no doubt, an interesting subject. By the bye, we shall shortly have a visit from the Duke of Newcastle. I hope you will be here.”--“Indeed!” “Yes, I expect him in seven or eight days.” “I hope his grace will do me the honour of visiting my sanctorum.” “Of course he will, you may depend upon that; but I will let you know all about it.” “As it is near your dinner-time, I wish you good afternoon.” “Where are you going to dine, Monsieur Soyer? I believe I have but meagre fare to offer you--a little soup and a leg of mutton. Will you dine with me?”