"I am curious to see both the rebel and his loyal daughter," said Marcel, unconsciously speaking my own thoughts also.
"You may yield to the charms of the daughter," replied Vivian, "but I warn you that if you seek to retort her conquests upon her you will have antagonists, and our friend Belfort here would not be the least among them."
Belfort frowned as if he did not relish the allusion, but it was a jolly young company of officers, and his frowns did not prevent them from having but small mercy upon him.
"I am told," said Catron, "that the young lady looks very high, and it will not be an easy task to win her. I think, Belfort, that the uniform of a colonel would be an exceeding betterment to your chances. And even if you should achieve success with the lady, I know not how the glowering old Desmond will look upon you."
"It seems to me, gentlemen," said Belfort, a trifle warmly, "that you are over personal in your discussions."
"Then in truth it is a most serious matter with you, eh, Belfort?" exclaimed Vivian.
"Nevertheless the field is open to any of us who choose to enter, and I suspect that some of us do choose," said Catron. "Belfort must not expect to win a battle unopposed."
I saw that Belfort liked the discussion less and less, and that he did not fancy rivalry. Many of the British officers in America, with worldly wisdom, were already seeking alliances with our Colonial heiresses. I had no doubt that Belfort had such designs in his mind, and I took a dislike to him for it.
Our appetites had now been dulled, and Vivian, seeing it, suggested that perhaps we might like to seek repose, adding that we would not be assigned to any regular service for a day or two. We accepted the invitation to rest, as we were in truth tired. Evening was at hand and it had been a long day, filled with many adventures. The officers wished us a hearty good-night and slumber undisturbed by dreams of pursuing rebels, and then left us.
"I must return to Sir William," said Vivian, as he left, "but Waters will take you to your quarters.--Here, Waters, see that Captain Montague and Lieutenant Melville are made comfortable."
Waters, a large, red-headed man in the dress of a British orderly, who had just entered, stepped forward.