The Highwayman by H. C. (Henry Christopher) Bailey
page 53 of 328 (16%)
page 53 of 328 (16%)
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been a soldier? I never knew you were anything."
"I have been with his Grace of Marlborough in every campaign since Blenheim. Do you think it's a good service, Harry?" he smiled at his own opulence. "For a versatile man," said Harry, and looked at his father curiously. "Why, I can take the field as well as another. Egad, when Vendome fell back from Oudenarde I was commanding a battalion. But it is not in the field that my best work is done." "Faith, I had guessed that," Harry said. "You have a sharp tongue, Harry. It's a dangerous weakness. Be careful to grow out of it. Then I think you may do well enough." "In your profession, sir? To be sure, you flatter me." "In my profession--" His father looked at him keenly. "I am not sure. Maybe you can do better, which will be well enough. Now, what can you do? You can use a sword, I suppose, though you wear none?" Harry shrugged. "I know the rigmarole, the salutes; I could begin a duel, _par exemple_. It's the other man who would end it." "Duels--bah, only dolts are troubled with them. You must learn to hold your own in a flurry. You can ride, I suppose?" "If the beast has a mane." |
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