VC -- A Chronicle of Castle Barfield and of the Crimea

'You've been to town, Jervase, I understand,' said the General, 'What's the news there?'

'The news, sir,' said Mr. Jervase. 'The news, sir, has come at last, and by this time I suppose Her Majesty's forces have got their marching orders.'

'Do you mean it's war, Jervase?' cried the General.

'I mean it's war, sir,' Jervase answered. 'The latest news, before I came away, was that the Queen had sent a message to Parliament that negotiations with the Czar are broken off. The message goes on to say that Her Majesty relies upon her faithful subjects to protect the Sultan against the encroachments of Russia.'

His manners and his accent were alike more dignified than they had been when he addressed the rustic crowd. It could be seen that he had one manner for the kitchen and another for the parlour.

'At last!' said the General, half under his breath. 'At last! Well, everybody has seen it coming, and there----' he went on, turning upon his heel and