Were it not for my position here, I would myself condescend to give you the lesson of which you seem to me to be in want." "I should doubt, sir, whether I could receive any lesson at your hands; but after this affair has terminated, I shall be happy to afford you an opportunity of endeavouring to do so." Lord Sackville was on the point of replying, when the colonel of his staff, whom Fergus had met at dinner at the duke's, and who spoke German fluently, came up and said: "Pardon me, general.

Can I speak to you for a moment ?" Fergus reined back his horse a length or two, while the officer spoke rapidly to Lord Sackville.
"I don't care a fig," the latter burst out passionately.
The officer continued to speak.

The general listened sullenly, then turning to Fergus, he said: "Well, sir, we shall leave the matter as it is.

As soon as this battle is over, I shall waive my rank and meet you." "I shall be ready at any time," Fergus said; and then, formally saluting, he rode away.
"I suppose you have no answer, Major Drummond," the duke said, when he returned to his quarters; "but indeed, there is none needed." "I have no answer, sir, and indeed did not wait for one.

Lord Sackville and I had a somewhat hot altercation;" and he related, word for word, what had passed.
"It is a pity, but I cannot blame you," the duke said, when Fergus had finished.