"I only mention it, because I am anxious about the future of your boy, Christopher. I congratulate you on finding such a son. Will you understand me, if I say I trust you have not thought of influencing him to leave our service, though I could not blame you wishing him beside you." "Nairn, I owe you my thanks for having broached the subject. I have been too dependent on my own exertions all my life to make me a good beggar, even for my son. When in Louisbourg you expressed yourself as under some obligation towards me. Will you discharge it by using your best endeavours for his advancement? He is too good metal to waste as a common soldier." "He is that! And if you allow him to remain, I pledge my word he shall not continue as such. It may sound presumptions in a mere captain to promise so confidently, but if we come out of this successfully, promotions will follow. He has been most favourably marked by the General, and also by our Colonel." "Let me see; he is a son of old Lovat, is he not?" "That he is, and in more ways than one." "If he be like his sainted father, he will have a longer memory for his own interests than those of his friends." "This is rank treason, Chevalier. I won't listen to another word of it," said Nairn, laughing. "But I am depending on the General, he never forgets any one, I can tell you, too," he added, eagerly, "he is a stickler for birth, and he will appreciate the fact of Christopher being your son." "That is a rare advantage!" I said, banteringly. "Of course it is! Would you not value a good horse the more if you knew his pedigree?" he answered, without the ghost of a smile. "Oh, come, come, Nairn! You must not attempt flattery, it has too overwhelming an effect. But, tell me--in what manner did you meet with your sister again?" I ventured boldly, knowing there was nothing to be gained by a subtler policy with him. "Simple enough. She was in the General Hospital when I was placed in command there, and very pleased I was to find her," he answered, as though the meeting were the most ordinary affair in the world, his tone clearly indicating that he had concluded the matter, and did not intend to reopen it. "I should apologise for having frightened her away as I came in," I continued, feeling for another opening; but he feigned ignorance of my move, and explained in the most natural manner--"Oh, that was not my sister, but a very good friend of hers, to whom we are both indebted for many kindnesses." "Ah, that is much. I trust she appreciates your gratitude in your allowing her to nurse you?" "Not at all; I do not think she looks upon it in that way. I believe there are some women who love the bother of looking after you. I try to give her as little trouble as I can," he ended, with a catch in his voice. "Nairn, you are a gentleman! Forgive my humbugging."