"Well, dear, I'm sorry," was all he said, but it conveyed much. When he quitted her presence a little later he carried with him the ring that Max had given her and a brief and piteous message to her lover that he would not try to see her again. Max received both in grim silence, and within half an hour of so doing he had gone. CHAPTER XVIII ONE MAN'S LOSS "Oh, damn!" said Noel. He had made the remark several times before that morning, but he made it with special emphasis on this occasion in response to the news that his brother was waiting to see him. Hot and cross from the parade-ground, he rolled off his horse and turned towards his quarters. The animal looked after him with a faint whinny of hurt surprise, and sharply Noel flung round again. The _saice_ grinned, but was instantly quelled to sobriety by his master's scowl. The horse whinnied again, and tucked a confiding nose under the young officer's arm. "All right, old man! Here you are!" said Noel. He fished out a lump of sugar and stuffed it between the sensitive lips that nibbled at his sleeve, kissed the white star between the soft brown eyes, whispered an endearing word into the cocked ear, slapped the glossy neck, and finally departed. His face resumed its scowl as he entered the room where Max sprawled in a bamboo chair with his feet on another and the petted terrier of the establishment seated alertly on his chest. Max smiled at sight of it and stretched forth a lazy hand. "Excuse my rising! I daren't incur this creature's displeasure." Noel took the creature by the neck and removed it. Max's hand remained outstretched, but that he ignored. "What have you come for?" he demanded gruffly. "I should have said, 'What can I do for you?'" observed Max to the ceiling. "If you are thinking of having a drink, perhaps you will allow me to join you." Noel went to the door and grumpily yelled an order. After which he jingled back, unbuckled his sword, and flung it noisily on the table. Max turned his head very deliberately and regarded him. His scrutiny was a prolonged one, and Noel finally waxed impatient under it. "Well, what are you staring at me for?" he enquired aggressively. With a sudden movement Max removed his feet from the second chair and sat up. "Sit down there!" he said. The words fell curt and sharp, a distinct order which Noel obeyed almost before he knew what he was doing. He dropped into the chair and sat directly facing his brother, a kind of surly respect struggling with the evident hostility of his expression. His dog, feeling neglected, sprang on to his knees and licked his sullen face. Max uttered a short laugh that was not unfriendly. "Oh, stop being a silly ass, Noel!" he said. "What on earth do you want to quarrel with me for? It's the most unprofitable game under the sun." Noel sat stiffly upright, holding the dog at arm's length. "It's no fault of mine," he said.