"There are few men who could have kept up the character; fewer still who would have attempted it, even to take part in a campaign.

I am sure, colonel, that we all hope your application for a commission for him will be granted; for he certainly deserves it, if ever a fellow did." There was a general murmur of assent and, shortly afterwards, the meeting broke up; for it was already a very late hour.
The rest of the campaign was uneventful.

Lisle speedily fell back into the life he had led before the campaign began, except that he now acted as an officer.

He already knew so much of the work that he had no difficulty, whatever, in picking up the rest of his duties.

He was greatly pleased that the colonel said nothing more to Gholam Singh, and the native officers of his company and, by the time the regiment marched back to Peshawar, he was as efficient as other officers of his rank.
He had, after his father's death, written down to his agents at Calcutta; and had received a thousand rupees of the sum standing to his account, in their hands.