"I know nothing of Scrub, though I have read Mr. Addison's play, and think
you have no need of being ashamed of the character of Cato. When is the
theatre to open?"

"We follow the sable gentry. As soon as St. Pinkster has received his
proper share of attention, we shall introduce Dom-Cato and Mr. Scrub to
your acquaintance."

All the young ladies, but Anneke and her friend Mary Wallace, laughed, two
or three repeating the words 'St. Pinkster,' as if they contained something
much cleverer than it was usual to hear. A general burst of exclamations,
expressions of pleasure, and of questions and answers followed, in which
two or three voices were heard at the same moment, during which time Anneke
turned to me, who was standing near her, at the spot occupied by Bulstrode
a minute before, and seemed anxious to say something.

"Do you seriously think of the army, Mr. Littlepage?" she asked, changing
colour at the freedom of her own question.

"In a war like this, no one can say when he may be called on to go out," I
answered. "But, only as a defender of the soil, if at all."

I thought Anneke Mordaunt seemed pleased with this answer. After a short
pause, she resumed the dialogue.

"Of course you understand Latin, Mr. Littlepage, although you have not been
at the universities?"

"As it is taught in our own colleges, Miss Mordaunt."