Chapter 14: XIV

XIV The Gowanbrae Ball “Your honour’s pardon, I’d rather have my wounds to heal again, Than hear say how I got them.” Coriolanus “Yes, I go the week after next.” “So soon? I thought you were to stay for our ball.” “Till this time next year? No, no, I can’t quite do that, thank you.” “This very winter.” “Oh, no—no such thing! Why, half the beauty and fashion of the neighbourhood is not come into winter quarters yet. Besides, the very essence of a milit…