"By God! sir," he said, "you're a credit to the British Army; you're a
damned fine soldier and a good man, and, by God! I'm proud to shake
hands with you."

And then someone came out of the shadow, someone in queer clothes such
as the soldier had seen worn by the heralds when he had been on duty
at the opening of Parliament by the King.

"Now, by _Corpus Domini_," this man said, "of all knights ye be
noblest and gentlest, and ye be of fairest report, and now ye be a
brother of the noblest brotherhood that ever was since this world's
beginning, since ye have yielded dear life for your friends' sake."

The soldier did not understand what the man was saying to him. There
were others, too, in strange dresses, who came and spoke to him. Some
spoke in what sounded like French. He cduld not make it out; but he
knew that they all spoke kindly and praised him.

"What does it all mean?" he said to the minister. "What are they
talking about? They don't think I'd let down my pals?"

"Drink this," said the minister, and he handed the soldier a great
silver cup, brimming with wine.

The soldier took a deep draught, and in that moment all his sorrows
passed from him.

"What is it?" he asked?