'You must do with me what you think right.' 'Ah, yes!' he cried: 'if I knew!' 'You see,' said I, 'it would be different if you had received your commission.

Properly speaking, you are not yet a combatant; I have ceased to be one; and I think it arguable that we are just in the position of one ordinary gentleman to another, where friendship usually comes before the law.

Observe, I only say _arguable_.

For God's sake, don't think I wish to dictate an opinion.

These are the sort of nasty little businesses, inseparable from war, which every gentleman must decide for himself.