In fact, I suspect
as much classics as Mother Carey taught us at home would serve their
countships' turn. Here's the address. You had better write by the
first post to-morrow, for one or two others are rising at it; but
Bulstrode said he would wait to hear from you. Here's the letter
with all the details."
"Thank you. You seem to take a good deal for granted," said Allen,
not moving a finger towards the letter.
"You won't have it?"
"I have neither spirits nor inclination for turning bear-leader, and
it is not a position I wish to undertake."
"What position would you like?" cried Jock. "You could take that
rifle you got for Algeria, and make the Magyars open their eyes.
Seriously, Allen, it is the right thing at the right time. You know
Miss Ogilvie always said the position was quite different for an
English person among these foreigners."
"Who, like natives, are all the same nation," quietly observed Allen.
"For that matter," said Jock, "wasn't it in Hungarie that the beggar
of low degree married the king's daughter? There's precedent for
you, Ali!"
Allen had taken up the letter, and after glancing it slightly over,
said—-
"Thanks, Vice-principal, but I won't stand in the light of your other
aspirants."
"What can you want better than this?" cried Jock.
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