CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.
HOW I SAVED MY MASTER'S LIFE, AND RETIRED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE.
I may with truth say, I reached that night the happiest moment in my life.
Indeed, as the young officer walked on, with me held tight in his hand, it would be hard to say which of us two was the happier.
Charlie's soldier life had not turned out as happily as, long ago, he had pictured it to himself.

Away from home, and with comparatively few friends, he had felt himself losing somewhat of his freshness and boyish enthusiasm, and settling down rather to habits of a humdrum commonplace official.

Books he had very few, and congenial society still less.
Quartered as he had been during the first two years in dull country stations, he had grown weary of the routine of everyday life, and longed for the sight of fresh faces, fresh scenes, fresh occupation.
After a while this desire was gratified in his removal to Calcutta.

But if he had suffered from dulness and weariness before, he was now in danger of going to another extreme.

In his first joy at getting back into lively society he rushed with ardour into all the attractions and gaieties of the capital.