He looked for a moment at me, then at Stubbes, and then burst out himself, as loud as either of us.

When he had at length recovered himself, he wiped his face with his handkerchief, and said, with a tone of much gravity:-- "But, my dear Lorrequer, this will be a serious--a devilish serious affair.

You know what kind of man Colonel C____ is; and you are aware, too, you are not one of his prime favourites.

He is firmly convinced that you intended to insult him, and nothing will convince him to the contrary.

We told him how it must have occurred, but he will listen to no explanation." I thought for one second before I replied, my mind, with the practised rapidity of an old campaigner, took in all the pros and cons of the case; I saw at a glance, it were better to brave the anger of the Colonel, come in what shape it might, than be the laughing-stock of the mess for life, and with a face of the greatest gravity and self-possession, said, "Well, adjutant, the Colonel is right.