Downright malten-hearted, that's me!' 'Yes, but I don't think you are! Well, how could you be? You are a soldier!' 'Ay, and a terrible time I had of it, keeping in the rear,' he said, falling into reminiscent vein. 'When I wasn't being a Belem-ranger – that's what we – they! – used to call the fellows who were always going off to hospital in Lisbon, you know–' 'No doubt that's how you became a Major!' she interrupted. 'No, you're out there: I had my majority by purchase, of course. Mind you, if it hadn't been for the losses we suffered at Waterloo –' 'If you mean to continue in this style,' she exclaimed, reining in her mare, 'I shall go home immediately!' 'I was being modest,' he explained. 'It wouldn't become me to tell you what a devil of a fellow I was. However, since I see you've guessed it, I'll own that Hector was nothing to me. You'd have thought I was one of the Death or Glory boys!' 'Well, what I think now is that you are the most shameless prevaricator I ever encountered!' retorted Anthea. 'Eh, there's no pleasing you!' he said, heaving a despondent sigh. 'Now I've perjured myself to no purpose at all!
( Georgette Heyer )
[ The Unknown Ajax ]
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