Luncheon will be
served to you in the dining hall; the first door to the right at
the foot of the grand staircase. I shall send you a trooper to
act as valet."
"Spare me, Colonel," said Maurice, who did not want any one
between him and the Englishman when they were alone.
"I have never had a valet," said Fitzgerald; "he would embarrass me."
"As you please," said the Colonel, a shade of disappointment in
his tones. "After all, you are soldiers, where every man is for
himself. Make yourselves at home;" and he withdrew.
Maurice at once applied lather and razor, and put on the
handsome uniform, which fitted him snugly. The coat was tailless,
with rows of silver buttons running from collar to waist. The
breast and shoulders and sleeves were covered with silver lace,
and Maurice concluded that it must be nothing less than a
captain's uniform. The trousers were tight fitting, with broad
stripes of silver; and the half boots were of patent leather. He
walked backward and forward before the pier-glass.
"I say, Fitz, what do you think of it?"
"You're a handsome rascal, Maurice," answered the Englishman,
who had watched his young friend, amusement in his sober eyes.
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