I thought it my duty to inform you of my marriage, and I
think I might have been better received."
"Stay, you idiot; don't go off in a huff. I don't like the match, I
tell you frankly; but I don't want to quarrel. Is there anything I can
do for you, except attending the wedding? I won't do that."
Colonel Wilders could not bring himself to ask any favours of his
unsympathetic kinsman. Nevertheless, it was through Lord Essendine's
interest that he obtained a snug staff appointment in one of the large
garrison towns; and he did not return indignantly the very handsome
cheque paid in by his cousin to his account as a wedding present.
He was still serving at Chatsmouth, his young and beautiful wife the
life of the gay garrison, when the war-clouds gathered dark upon the
horizon, and, thanks again to the Essendine interest, he found himself
transferred, still on the staff, to the expeditionary army under
orders for the East.
CHAPTER V.
THE WAR FEVER.
They were stirring times, those early days of '54. After half a
century of peace the shadow of a great contest loomed dark and near.
The whole British nation, sick and tired of Russian double-dealing,
was eager to cut the knot of political difficulty with the sword.
Everyone was mad to fight; only a few optimists, statesmen mostly,
still relying on the sedative processes of diplomacy, had any hopes of
averting war.
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