Without doubt the knavery of Gedge set aflame his indignation--or rather the fierce pride of the great old Tory gentleman.

He would have walked through hell-fire sooner than yielded an inch to Gedge.

So much would scornful defiance have done.

But behind all this--and I am as certain of it as I am certain that one day I shall die--burned even fiercer, steadier, and clearer the unquenchable fire of patriotic duty.

He was dealing not with a man who had sinned terribly towards him, but with a man who had offered his life over and over again to his country, a man who had given to his country the sight of his eyes, a man on whose breast the King himself had pinned the supreme badge of honour in his gift.