"Why, as soon as I could master myself enough not to lay hands on him," said Hardy, "I went across to his rooms where he was entertaining a select party, and just gave him his choice between writing an abject apology then and there to my dictation, or having the whole business laid before the principal to-morrow morning. He chose the former alternative, and I made him write such a letter as I don't think he will forget in a hurry." "That's good," said Tom; "but he ought to have been horsewhipped too. It makes one's fingers itch to think of it. However, Smith's all right now." "All right!" said Hardy, bitterly. "I don't know what you call 'all right.' Probably the boy's self-respect is hurt for life. You can't salve over this sort of thing with an apology-plaster." "Well, I hope it isn't so bad as that," said Tom. "Wait till you've tried it yourself," said Hardy, "I'll tell you what it is; one or two things of this sort--and I've seen many more than that in my time--sink down into you, and leave marks like a red-hot iron." "But, Hardy, now, really, did you ever know a bribe offered before?" said Tom. Hardy thought for a moment. "No," said he, "I can't say that I have; but things as bad, or nearly as bad, often." He paused a minute, and then went on; "I tell you, if it were not for my dear old father, who would break his heart over it, I would cut the whole concern to-morrow. I've been near doing it twenty times, and enlisting in a good regiment." "Would it be any better there, though?" said Tom, gently, for he felt that he was in a gunpowder magazine. "Better! yes, it must be better," said Hardy; "at any rate the youngsters there are marchers and fighters; besides, one would be in the ranks and know one's place. Here one is by way of being a gentleman--God save the mark! A young officer, be he never such a fop or profligate, must take his turn at guard, and carry his life in his hand all over the world wherever he is sent, or he has to leave the service. Service!--yes, that's the word; that's what makes every young red-coat respectable, though he mayn't think it. He is serving his Queen, his country--the devil, too, perhaps--very likely--but still the other is some sort. He is bound to it, sworn to it, must do it; more or less. But a youngster up here, with health, strength, and heaps of money--bound to no earthly service, and choosing that of the devil and his own lusts, because some service or other he must have--I want to know where else under the sun you can see such a sight as that?"