"Bah! Stuff, little one! What's the good? Suppose I get my discharge. That's the good? What can I do? I shall only take to the drink again. I'm not fit for anything but a common soldier. No; I must stop as I am. The poor old governor meant well, Clairy, but it was beggarly work--flunkey work, and it disgusted me." "Oh, Fred!" "Well, it did, little one. I was sick of the fashionable starvation, and I suppose I was too fond of the drink, and so I enlisted." "But you don't drink much now, Fred." "Don't get the chance, little one," he said, with a bluff laugh. "There, I'll keep away. I won't disgrace you all." "Dear Fred," said Claire, crying softly. "And I won't talk bitterly to you, my pet. I say, didn't I see the Major come in at the front?" "Yes, dear. He went up to see Lady Teigne. She is at home this afternoon." "Oh, that's right. Didn't come to see you. Master comes in at the front to see the countess; Private James Bell comes in at the back to see you, eh?" "Fred, dear, you hurt me when you talk like this." "Then I'll be serious. Rum thing I should drift into being the Major's servant, isn't it? Makes me know him, though. I say, Clairy, you're a beautiful girl, and there's no knowing who may come courting." "Hush, Fred!" "Not I. Let me speak. Look here: our Major's one of the handsomest men in the town, Prince's favourite, and all that sort of thing; but if ever he speaks to you, be on your guard, for he's as big a scoundrel as ever breathed, and over head in debt." "Don't be afraid, Fred," said the girl, smiling. "I'm not, pet. So the old girl's at home, is she?" "Yes." "Sitting in her diamonds and lace, eh?" Claire nodded. "Wish I had some of them instead of that old cat--hang her!--for I'm awfully short of money. I say, dear, can you let me have a few shillings?" Claire's white forehead wrinkled, and she looked at the young soldier in a troubled way, as she drew a little bead purse from her pocket, opened it, and poured five shillings into the broad hand. "Thank ye," he said coolly, as his eyes rested on the purse. Then, starting up--"Hang it, no," he cried; "I can't. Here, catch hold. Good--bye; God bless you!" He thrust the money back into her hand, caught her in his arms and kissed her, and before she could detain him he was gone. That afternoon and evening passed gloomily for Claire. Her father, when he returned from his walk, was restless and strange, and was constantly walking up and down the room. To make matters worse, her visitor of that afternoon went by two or three times on the other side of the road, gazing very attentively up at the house, and she was afraid that their father might see him. Then Major Rockley went by, smoking a cigar, raised his hat to her as he saw her at the window, and at the same moment as she returned his salute she saw Private James Bell on the other side, looking at her with a frown full of reproach.