"Aye, aye, my lord," said the old soldier, warming, and answering a friendly smile from old Jack Andrews, who was removing the breakfast equipage; "but, when at Minden, and while the French gun brigade was bowling through the six British regiments that stood there in division, we little thought that we would live to drink our grog in Rohallion, forty years after, hale carles, and hearty ones, too." "If we ever _thought_ at all, Girvan, which is not likely; reflection troubles a young soldier seldom, and, egad! we were beardless boys then." "And those who were boys like ourselves then, and those who were grey-haired grenadiers of Fontenoy and Culloden--who had no need to powder their white hair--were alike mowed down together, and lay like herrings in a landing net," said Girvan, sadly. "It was a day on which the ripe fruit and the blossom were gathered together," said Lady Rohallion, as her wheel revolved rapidly, and little Quentin sat at her feet to watch it. "Your ladyship's speech savoureth of poetry," said the dominie, bowing; "it is even as my old friend Burns--puir Robbie Burns--would have expressed himself." "It is ten years since the Scots Horse Guards were amalgamated with the new Life Guard Regiments," said Rohallion, commencing a familiar topic. "Just twelve years this summer, my lord," replied Girvan. "And though moving slowly up the list of generals, Girvan, I have not had a regiment since." "Among the Romans----" began the dominie. "A regiment! it is a brigade you should have," interrupted the quartermaster, ruthlessly. "Among the Romans," began the dominie again, when Lord Rohallion, who was full of his grievance (was there ever an old soldier without one?) spoke with something of irritation. "I have actually been refused a brigade for service, though senior to more favoured officers; but a time may come when Government may be glad to avail themselves of my services, though I am afraid, John, that I'm getting owre auld in the horn, as the drovers say.. Besides, they think that we old fellows of Minden and Bunker's Hill are as much out of date as the snap-muskets and matchlocks of King William's time. And zounds, man! there are not wanting in the Lower House certain disloyal spirits, termed financial reformers, who grudge the old soldier the day's pittance which he has won by blood and sweat, and by wasting the flower of his days among the swamps of the Helder, the fevers of the West Indies, and elsewhere." "The devil take all fevers and reformers together--amen," said the quartermaster; "but I believe this intended Egyptian business will be only a flash in the pan when compared with what _we_ have seen." "Among the Romans the soldiery at first received no _stipendium_," said the dominie, raising his voice and speaking very fast, lest he should be interrupted; "but every man served at his own proper charges." "That would suit our modern whigs to a hair, dominie," said Lord Rohallion, laughing.