AN EPISODE IN THE EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE OF THE MAN WITH THE BLUE EYES Thus far, for the surer basing of our argument, it has appeared advisable to proceed step by step.

But the foundations being now well and truly laid, the pace of our narrative may, with advantage, quicken; a twelve month be rounded up in a page, a decade, should convenience so dictate, in a chapter.
To the furthering of which advance, let it be stated that the close of the year still in question marked the date, for Damaris, of two matters of cardinal importance.

For it was then Sir Charles Verity commenced writing his history of the reign of Shere Ali, covering the eleven years following the latter's accession to the very turbulent throne of Afghanistan in 1863 .-- Colonel Carteret may be held mainly responsible for the inception of this literary enterprise, now generally acclaimed a classic.

Had not Sir William Napier, so he argued, made the soldier, as historian, for ever famous?
And why should not Charles Verity, with his unique knowledge of court intrigues, of the people and the country, do for the campaigns of the semi-barbarous Eastern ruler, that which Sir William had done for Wellington's campaign in the Spanish Peninsular?
Carteret prophesied--and truly as the event richly proved--a finely fascinating book would eventually come of it.

Meanwhile--though this argument, in favour of the scheme, he kept to himself--the preparation of the said book would supply occupation and interest of which his old friend appeared to him to stand rather gravely in need.