Your regiment is about to start for the frontier.

We shall direct your colonel to report to us, from time to time, as to your conduct, and shall see that your promotion is in accordance with your actions, and shall request him to offer you any opportunity that may occur for distinguishing yourself." Desmond rode back to Paris well satisfied with the result of the interview.

He had not been slow in noticing that, although the king's approval of his actions had been warmly expressed in words, there was a certain coldness in the tone in which they were spoken, which showed that, although the king's sense of justice constrained him to praise, he was at heart sore at the death of one who had been a favoured companion in his sports and amusements.
On his return, he found his two friends waiting for him, at his quarters.

They gave him a hearty greeting.
"You are a perfect paladin, Kennedy," O'Neil said; "and, though we are all proud of you, we cannot help feeling a little envious that such adventures have all fallen to the lot of our junior ensign.
It is evident that, if you were not born with a silver spoon in your mouth, fortune determined to make up in other ways, by giving you such chances as do not fall to the lot of anyone else." "Yes, I think I have every right to consider myself exceptionally fortunate." "You may have been fortunate, Kennedy," O'Sullivan remarked.

"The thing is, that you took advantage of the opportunities.