"Well, I can't see as it would be absurd, because you, being a gent, ought to have your servant. But, to come back to my being in your regiment--ain't there no way of managing it?" "I don't know, Jerry. Officers exchange." "There you are: allus a way out of a difficulty, if you can find it. Officers exchange; why shouldn't privates? I could be no end o' use to you, Dick Smithson. S'pose we try?" Dick laughed, and shook his head. "Impossible, Jerry! We must be content as we are for the present, and meet now and then, and talk matters over till I see my way to get out of this position." And it was in this way that they parted. About a week later Dick was summoned to the lieutenant's rooms; and, upon reaching them, it was quite plain that something was wrong. For Lacey looked black as thunder as he walked up and down. "What have I done to offend him?" thought Dick, as he waited for the young officer to speak. "Sit down!" growled Lacey; and Dick obeyed. "It's beyond bearing!" exclaimed the lieutenant. "I'll clean my own boots, and brush my own clothes. I'm sick of it!" "Nothing to do with me," thought Dick; and he ventured a remark. "Can I help you in any way, sir?" "No--yes; play something soothing to me. I'm put out. No, don't. It's like making a fool of myself." Dick thought so, too, but he did not say anything; while the lieutenant went on pacing the room for a few minutes, and then faced round. "What do you think he has done now?" "Who, sir--the colonel?" "Bah! no: that idiot servant of mine?" "Broke something, sir?" "No!" roared the lieutenant; "I wish he had--his neck! Can I trust you, Smithson?" Dick bowed. "Yes; one can confide in you, Smithson. You remember--er--er--a little adventure of ours--the serenade?" "Oh, yes, sir!" "I hardly care to refer to it, Smithson; but, as I think I said before, I always feel as if I can trust you." Dick bowed again, and felt disposed to laugh; but his face was extra-serious as the lieutenant went on-- "The fact is, we made a great mistake, Smithson, and that duet was played under the wrong window. There is an aunt there--and--and--she is not young." "I presumed so, sir, from the voice," said Dick, for the young officer waited. "There is no presumption about it, Smithson; you were quite right. She is still single. Miss--well--er--since then--er--we have met." "You and the aunt, sir?" "Smithson, this is no matter for ribald jest," said the lieutenant, sharply. "I beg pardon, sir; I meant to be quite serious." "I thank you, Smithson. You will grasp what I mean when you grow older. You may come to feel as I have felt for months past." "I hope not!" thought Dick. "I will continue, Smithson. We have met since, more than once; and yesterday I sent that idiot with a note." "And he gave it to the wrong person, sir?" "What! You have heard?" "Oh, no, sir; but it is what I should have expected him to do."