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CHAPTER. I. The greet currents of business end‘flen- anre were seating strongly up and own the Strand. with the" wouuwmud even war. on as bright April morning. some twenty yours ego. The season was at its rune. Hell-peas eleven had chimed trom n. Mertnu'e. and the relieved guard of Blues had turned into Waterloo Place on their humewerd wyy to Albany‘szreet.‘ lUUK BEFORE WU LEAP. Thrown back on n sofa. near an open window. with one heel reusing on the bwk o! a chains“ 8 young memo! perha two-or-tbree-and-twonty. 1n a Persian at k dressing-gown. embroidered slippers. richly- worked smoking-099mm! all the appliances In one of the best rooms in Morley'e Hotel looking on Trdslgsr Square. en ele- berets breakfast was laid out,inoluding, unoug other accessories of a later meal. a bottle of oogneo. while two or three of soda- wnter ley modestly on their sides in the ugly 01 the etdehoerd. _ ‘_l_ mAn_ fin Ann“ wv.-~â€" â€"_-__" -,,.' of a mans luxuriona morning diihabille. One of his small white hands hall a news- paper. the other supported his headâ€"a. wry hangiaorne head! small, with dehoate I ,2__ -___| I._:..LL Luann 'v-J â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€" _____ urn. curly black hair. and bright. happy dark eyes. a trifle too bead-like. perhaps. Downy mustachea darkened his upper lip. without concealing the red. youthful. unde- cided mouthmlightly apart, with a. pleasant Imile. A . A staid. solemn. well-dressed man was standing. soda~watet bottle in hand, at the oppogitp‘sjde gfflglm breakfast table. ,,A______ n _..:A 4|..- Innâ€"anâ€" vrrvu." â€"-__ -_ “ Hold herd, Simmons." said the lounger, “ before you open that accusing bottleâ€"I went to impress upon you that I drink it in consequence of present heat â€"not past excessâ€"you feel convinced, Simmons ?" “ Yes. Sir Frederic." “ Andâ€"hold herd againâ€"get me some elsret. and remove the brandy out of eight â€"uot out of reach, mind you! that fellow Neville will be here directly. and he'll ling out for it. Any letters for him ?” " Yes. Sir Frederic." " Hand them over." The valet presented a. selver. on which by halts-dozen notes and three large let- hrs: these Sir Frederic picked-out. ,A_I-L “ Hum." said the young exquisite; “ these two are duua, or circulars, and this â€"oh! this must be from our sovereign lord and brother. 'Ged. how Neville will swear! I wish he had a. good old father instead of a nabbed. Aaanofiilied ‘hdlf-Allrofherl Neville “Get me the clarfifSimWâ€"the valet vanished. ..‘ fallow. if â€" _ . -. u INA; nun-v u , .- We are not destined to know why. at present. {or the door was burst open. and a magnificent individual appeared; a tall, broad-shouldered _mu)_,_in dglzk-blue ‘uni- UQVI-u u..-â€"â€"-_ - _ form. blazing with gold. and lighted here and there with gleam! of orimbon; spurs jungling. sabre rattling, he strode into the room like an xmperecnation of the. “ pomp and circumstance of glorious war." \thh- out a word he dmhcd aside his hot Hueeer pelxsse and shacks), disclosing a. sun-burnt, broadbrowed face. a somewhat heavy jaw, lax-30.0mm. dark-grey eyes. wavy. yellow- hrown. hair. and long mueteches. a shade moreAtawny. . A . nun #__‘ 1.2- A!_..L '_~'w n'-_° -_ _ v “ 1‘10. no! Brandy eteediee you more. sad it is internally hot ! My hand ehekee like a girl's! Oh, no !" in answer to a. look tron) his friend. " you know I never drink, and it would take a hogeheed to bowl me over if I did. But Her Majesty in an early bird. God bless her! and I had source time utter we broke up for a bath. and to scram- hle into uniform. before we were paraded and off at full trot to the stationâ€"nowâ€" eny letters ?" II ”,4 - LL- .-____....-_â€".6€nnl “an “yaw-n.- “ Tn some claret instead. " returned Sir Frederic , “ it will cool you betterâ€"I am just going to have some.‘ 3; _L-_.I' -â€" â€"A« man-A u-v-u uâ€"uâ€"J . " How goes it. Compton ‘2" were his first words. “ 3‘Where 3 the p.brsndy ‘7" alas! were the second. _.. . ‘1'.- “I Iva-“nu . “ Here you are," was the ungremmetical reply of his friend. “ I have been specu- lating upon them while waiting for you." sad he tossed over the_th_ree large ones. Neville meantime had compounded a mixture of brandy. soda-water. and ice in a huge tumbler, and drained it ofi thiratily, letting it down with adeep sigh of enjoy- ment; he took them. and selecting one, looked intently at it on all sides; then glancing up with a sudden. frank smile, which brightened hie rather stern face marvellcnaly. saidâ€"- an“; wu..vâ€".--l ' _â€"._ “‘Gad! I never was in such a. funk, either at Meerut or Lucknow. an at the light of this confoundedly clear. accurate penmanehip. Don't leug'u.Compton! Here goes!_" and .the seal was broken_. n~_| _:I__-A â€"I..In nan.n:n 0': ieé’iifiééiauenoe, while Captain Neville's eye ran hastily over the even lines. Gradunlly the strong jaw closed with a fierce expression. and the hand. which had slowly pulled his long muatmhea, dropped and clinched by his side. Then he looked up 33d said qnietlyâ€" “ It‘s no go. Compton." " The devil it in!" replied that ingenuoue youth. " What the deuoe will you do ?" " Sell out." was the rejoinder. “ And then?" “Mercury. the god of vegabonde. alone known." returned Neville. with a bitter laugh. " I am fit for little but a. hunch; yet I tell you what. Compton, I must eat and get cool. and think. men. for out of this mess I must find e wey_." He rang the hell. and on the appearance of a waiter asked for his man. " He is in your room. air." “ Go on with your breakfast; I‘ll be with Lou directly." said the Captain. and van- hed. Sir Frederic drew a chair to the table and shook hie head, made a deep inoieion into a pa?! de Strasbourg and treneferred e rtion of it to his plate. then ehook his and again. and, holding his knife and fork inactivehtell into deep thought. In a few minutes Neville re-entered. looking fresher. having defied me glories of his uniform for a dressing gown. em. like those of his companion. only more subdued in color. Vv-v- . Without exchanging many words. be commenced c serious onslaught on the good things before him. nnd while thus engaged. nn explanatory word or two. Neville mm c ccptcin in the â€"-th Hum". the cadet oi AAAAA .1 _-_AL .A....... _...A :1; 516 but dboayod north chunky race. The letter we have seen him read was from his hull-brothorâ€"tho son of his father‘s By Mrs. Alexander. flret merriege with the daughter oi e city magnetoâ€"whom iortune had pripped Up the house at Neville. He had inherited his mother's share in the lemons banking houee of Foeter d: 00.. end eleo the father’s eetntea. He was a cool. shrewd men of business. end his ehrewdneee wee at once strengthened and regulated by a certain sombre. " puritanical" turn 0! mind. which suited Well with hie nerrow but deep intel- ligence. Indeed he poeeeeeed more of the traditions! “ rouudheed" characteristicaâ€" etern resolve and unyielding convictionâ€" than is often found in this plieut nge; Guy. our friend, now doe . in the Stras- bourg pie. was. as I have sai . of a different stamp. though not without a family like- ness. His mother was a bright coquette, noble and penniless. with warmer blood in her veins than that which flowed strong but slow through those of the Cumberland Nevilles; so. in addition to a certain tena- city of purpose. Guy had a strong dash of passion and perversityâ€"troublesome in- mates for a soldier of fortune. Now, [“8 weakness was not wine nor women; though he had his love aflairsâ€" mere trifles-he never cared sentimentally for any one. it was the love of gambling which was too strong for him. And he was long a keen and a successful gamester, at first within tolerable bounds, latterly. espe- cially. since his luck turned somewhat agaist him. he had gone deeper and deeper and now. having put ofi' all other creditors as longas he could. in order to meet his debts of honor. and his last hope cut ofi by his brother's retusal to assist him. he felt almost stunned by the sudden pressure with which the knowledge that he owed nearly three thousand pounds weighed upon him. Five hundred he must pay before seven days were over, and all he had to pay it with was the price of his commis- sionâ€"0t his gay jacket. his horses. and a few personalties. These once gone, “ Othel- lo's occupation would be o'er 3" the future a “ egough of despond." To what could he turn Nevertheless he had strong nerve and a stout heart left; besides, he was not yet thirty, so he ate to strengthen himself, that he might fight his way out of the cor- ner into which he was hemmed. His friend, Sir Frederic Compton. was lieutenant in his regimentâ€"rich and gay. and generousâ€"beloved by allâ€"a trifle wild, but that was only more endearing. The sole drawnaok to his sunny lot was the fact that his father had decreed by his will that the heir to his broad Devonshire lands and Cornwall mines should not be of age till he was five-and-twenty. till which time he was under the severe but loving guar- dianship of a maternal grandfather, a grand old city Croesus. As it this was non bother enough. the grandfather‘s heart was set on marrying the young baronet before he Was out of leading-strings ; and. kind. Puey, old man, to save the boy trouble. had found a. wtfe for himâ€"a ward of his ownâ€"to whom no reasonable man could make any obJec- tion. But boys, and girls too. are ever rebellious. By this time the first edge of appetite is blunted, and the twu young men began to talk. Said Sir Frederic, kindly. "Try the fratgyo‘qnoe more. old boy ‘2" , 3 \Y__.:II- Neville and Compton had become known to each other previous to the latter joining the â€"th Hussars. through the business connection of old Mr. Foster (Sir Fred- eric’s grandfather) and Neville’e brother, who constituted the Co. in the famous establishment of Foster Co.. and Guy had been at once the young baronet‘s “ fides Achntes." and. notwithstanding his own errors. his mentor. “ Notto eeve my soul." returned Neville. fiercely; "besides. I have no rightâ€"we never were friends. and."â€"a momentary pauseâ€"“I have no choiceâ€"I have been thinking while I eat. I must speak to Cox'e people about my oommieeion. to-mor- row. then think of the future afgerwarQ." “Don't. be in such a. hurry, for God's sake. Look here, I could easily raise you seven or eight hundred by my name, and that would stave off matters for a. while, and â€"" “How am I to repay you? It would come to the same in the end. My commis- eion must go. A thousand thanks to you. Fred, all the same. You are a good fellowl No, no! the sooner I make the wrench and disappear the better. or I'll be going deeper in the mire. I must vow against cards, dice, betting. everything, or I'll end by being eronpier or billiard-marker in some hell, by Jove! Talk of something elseâ€" yourselfâ€"whet are you going to do to- night ?’_‘ _ . . .- .n- a» g 1 Sir Frederic locked at his friend. end new be had better humor him. so he grum- bled out. " such a. sell. but I muet do it!â€" Another slice of ham, Neville ?-â€" Grand. papa is in a worse fidget than ever to have me tied to that heireee he has been saving up for me, and to-night she is to be trotted out for my inspection at a. demieemi sort of a juvenile party in St. John‘s Woodâ€"en awfully slow place. The man of the house is a. chum of the revered grandfatherâ€"a. mighty men on ’Chenge. I have dined there at magnificent spreads ; but oh! so heavy. However. I have promised to go. It will keep the old gentlemen quiet a while. I wigh you'd come with me. Neville?" “ Pahaw i” said that gentleman courte- ously. " But who is this girl. and why is your grandfather so anxious to marry you to her ? You are rich enough.”_ " Wll . yes! But you see he has a mania for [an ed property. and she has abouts thousand a year. almost in a ring fence. lying right between my Devonshire and Cornwall estates. Then her father was a sworn ally of the old governor's; his cor. respondent at New Orleans for centuries. Ultimately. he came over here, bou ht this property. invested his little savings. oubled them (I dare say she has thirty or forty thousand in the funds). brought up his only child in a hall savage. half philosophical manner. and lelt her a ward of my grand- dad‘s. I suppose she is about eighteen or nineteen now. He says she is handsome- blaek eyes. and all that sort of thing. Mother a darhy, probably! Now I admire b'londes; besides," he added. feelingly. "it b1ondee; besides," ne waea. Ieeuugly, II is cruel to take a follow'a freedom from him just as he begins to enjoy mend I can' t. be bored With my other women now but Tatum. Totnme in such a nice. bright. pleeient little thing. " .. IA‘.A _I__DL _._.. -AL r“ That‘; “1.60” ”well; but don't you get into any mischief with Miss Totnms.“ said Ngjlla gavel}.- .0,,, Â¥___ 3:. The young fedy in question wen a dis- tinguished member of e distinguished beL lot. and famed for e succession of rapid pirouettee on the extreme point of her tight great toe. ; which had gained for her the (and bus amiliu uppelluu'on of “Testo- tum." abbrevinytod u Ibove: “ Oh. I'll take one." sold Sir Frederic. Then after a moment's thou.ht. he exclaimed. with sudden energy â€"" Neville I hsve the primeet ides â€"-help yourself and mel Melts love to the heiressâ€"msrry her â€"get the tinâ€"reform your weysâ€"wind up in high respectabilityâ€"brother's blessing - virtue rewardedâ€"sh ‘I" “ Pshsw l" ssid Neville sgsin. “ Why not?" persisted the young Bsronet. “You are older then I smâ€"hsve sown more wild oste. You are e good fellow; not averse to matrimonyâ€"would mske her a. deuoed dssl better husband then nino tenths of those among whom she will pro- bsbly msrryl Now. do think. my buy! It is uo_t every day I have so hright s_u idea!" " Thefi'e righfiâ€"teke your time. old fel' low.” said the other gleefully. “It'ejuet the thing (or you. Come with me to the tea-fight. Go in and win. It she chooses to prefer you (and of course she will it you make love to her and I don't). my grandfather cannot blame me." " Comptbn,"'returned his friend. speak- ing glqwly. “_ y_ou arq ridiculoug." “ ’Gad! it she is e dorky. all the cash in Christendom will not. make up for it." cried Nevnlle. he]! carried away by his friend's enthusiasm. “ But if not. if she is 9. nice girl. by Jove! it might be a. grand throw. Yet to owe everything to a. wile ie to play rather second fiddle? Eh. Comp. ton ‘2" “ Pooh! nonsense! Your fine old name and social standing will be a grand feather in the eyes of a New Orleans girl. I won. der does she drawl her worde through her noseâ€"that would be dreadful." “ Com pton." said Neville thoughtfully. “ I' ll go with you this evening; though by heavegna. I feel ashamed of myself. I feel like a. common adventurer. by George! and “Don't talk like an idiot. You are all right. You try to get up the steam. and fell in love with her. Make her very happy. and nurse the estate. and all that sort of thing. By and by I‘ll marry some pretty blonde, and we will be first rate neighbors, fit “to point a. moral or adorn a Neville rose from the table. and paced the room two or three times. took another tumbler of eode~waterâ€"tbis time without. brangyâ€" and ultimately eeidâ€"T I - v “ Tiara is no harm .111 having a look. I will g9 with you. Comggpnz" “ 0! course you will be reasonable," returned his friend. “I dare eey she is a charming. fresh creature. utterly free from knowledge of the world. She has been at school with some awful old woman at St John‘s Wood for the last year and a. half I believe ; and you are just the sort of 8 Don to want the first of a woman's heart. So you are all right, if some fascinating drew- ing master or music-master has not been bifore you." he added, with a. touch of mis- c ief. $8.15; “What right have I to look for the cream of anything?" and Neville. with some bitterness. “Iwusbâ€"but why talk of wishes ? Where shall we meet? " Oh. here. here," returned the Baronet. “ And Neville. do hear me. It you want to play this or any game, euooeeefully. you must have your wits clear. 80 let me lend you the seven hundred, and you can pay me when you sell your commission. or â€"mrry.’_’ " Ruin! a pretty way to spend the poor girl's money.‘ “ It I know anything of women." said the young Lieutenant, with a pretty air of conceit. “ she will think it well spent it you love her. and show her attention." V i-'Sh}$bdéé raher is a woman who will talk of my house. and my horses? Eh. Comp- ton ‘?" “ By Jove! there are few would try that gamg with vou‘ I _f__opoy_." _ " God knows! Wham her nnme all this time ?" " Mary Delvigne." “ French ‘2" ‘No, South American. " " Well. I' 11 have a. look. " “ We meet, then. here at dinner. Sharp seven. _80 good morning and enooeae.‘ Sir Frederic nodded to his friend. and left the room. Neville was not punctual, however, and it was nine o‘clock before the friends were en route for the festive eoene. “ I wonder what new Vagary my grand- father was up to to-day." said Sir Frederic Compton. as they began to get clear of the noisier streets. “ The old boy was three times at the hotel this afternoon; had not long left when I returned. and said he'd have waited longer. only he had to start for Paris by the night mail. so there will be an impediment the less to our scheme to-night." " Ours? Say yours." returned Neville. “ Well, mine. it you will; but I dare say that stupid waiter did not give me the right message, and Simmons was out; he so sel~ dom asks leave of absence that I let him goxlh Neville. “Then the must. be pleasant fellows," said his good umored companion. " Don't be down hearted! You are on the road to love and “01188. ‘ Nothing venture nothing have I’ Here we are!" Mrs. Coleman's reception had progressed to a culminating point of success when our friends reached Saratoga Lodge. St. John’s Wood. a substantial house. substantially furnished. with a wide entrance and hand- some rooms. These for reception were all on the lower floor. and the hall ended in a ccueervatory of tolerable dimensions. pret- tily lit up. and well calculated for flirting. The entrance of our Husears sent a faint sort of sensation. down or up. ”through the fat and dignified hostess to the insignificant French teacherâ€"asked in deference to the heiress’ whim of friendship. The Baro- net‘s air of fashion and the soldierly hear- ing of his companion were alike superior to the common standard of Baratoga Lodge. Sir Frederic. according to his genial habit, was soon perfectly at home with his host- ess. whose nul be satisfied with compli- ments; while Neville listened with a half- suppressed smile. Alter hesnng Sir Frederio's explonotion of Mr. roster's ohoenoe. and pronouncing a warm euloglum upon his ehsrsetsr and merits, Mrs. Coleman led her guests to the dsnoln ~room. where the company hsving gyrsto madly for hall on hour in n giddy waltz, were nowoomplsting the psrformsnoe by trailing in couples. wish solemn shsurdlly “Some men can't say no," growled CHAPTER II. round and round the room. Two or three boys in jwkete. and hall a dozen prim little girle briutliuu with flounoa. entitled the authoring to the name at a juvenile rsy. Through these conflicting oouplee di Mre. ()olemen wind her devious oouree. followed by Sir Frederio_end Neville. in Indieu file. AL, n..|.: ______ ._.' v, "V- â€" -VVV~ “ You're nearly across the Rubicon now." whispered the former. “Can you dance?" " I hare danced." replied Neville. “ but not for years. Must I?" “ Meat! Moot imperatively." Mrs. Coleman penned here before 3 pretty group of three young girls. One. fair. tall. handsome. with Iull. light.lwguiahiug blue eyes. was sitting In a wi‘ndpymeeut. beside , AA_ " belle blonde." and bending to speak to her, while the orimson drapery of the window- curtain formed a very effective background. stood the thirdâ€"tall and slight, but round and pliant, with a soft color mantling through her clear. brown fair cheek. and a half smile trembling on her rosy. kindly lips. Her own glossy dark hair was plaited into a ooronet. but no other ornament interfered with the graceful outline of her head. A snowy cloud of white muslin seemed to Neville's rather nervous vision to float about her indistinotly. save that certain easy folds were gathered from the creamy sloping shoulders by a sash of black Velvetto her waist. and among them rested a bouquet of fragrant flowers. She turned to Mrs. Coleman as she approached. with an indefinable expression of joyous lifeâ€"an expression which our neighbors' word " spiritual" can alone convey; and then her eyes met Neville's, her oolor deepened. and her bright glance inzoluntarilyndrooped. a. slight. timid, quiet-looking brunette. whose unobtrusive paleneaa sauce juutifies an uppellutiou which always conveys the idea of brilljanoy ;_u_t tho. other aid? of the “ Sir Frederic Comptonâ€"Captain Ne- ville," said the hostess. “ Miss Delvigne â€"Mise Weston." . The gentlemen bowed. " Allow me the honor of the next gal. lop." said Sir Frederic. with prompt decision, addressing the fair beauty. The lady at once graciously assented. “ Will you dance with me ?" said Neville. to his bright particular star. unconscious earnestness rendering his deep tones less steady than usual. and feeling a marvellous attraction to the fair girl he addressed. "If.” he thought, "fortune is to come to me in such a guise, I am the luckiest fellow on the globe." Neville was not a ladiea'man. and knew nothing at all of gay. innocentyoung girls: nor could Miss Redoubt‘e ehyeet pupil feel more ill at ease under the awful inspection of Madame Pirouette. the treble-x-danoing mistress. than dld this bold Dragoon, as he thought. “ \Vhat shall I say? How can I tell her that she is a beautiful darling. and I wish myself an Earl. with £50,000 a year, for her eake?" Meantime Marie Delvigne was stealing shy glances at her stalwart admirer, to her ‘a totally new specimen of mankind. Hith- erto her experience had been limited to long-haird professors. more or less severe. while school life had proved somewhat tame, lonely, unsympathetic; nevertheless she was enjoying that glorious springtime when " the light that snrrounds us all is all from within." ‘- What. is it to be?" said Neville. after an uncertain pause. “ I ought." be con- tinued. plucking up courage, " to warn you that. having been little in civilized life, I ahnlealge buy an ipgifieganfi partner." " How ?" asked Miss Delvigne, looking up at him with frank curiosity. “ What are you. thenâ€"s soldier ‘1" “ Yes." returned Neville. “ I am glad! I never met an English soldier before. But why are you in these clothes ?" “ You would not have me appear in uni- form ‘2" " Yes: it must be prettier than this cos- tume." “ Well. perhaps so I But shall we begin? Prpmise you will be leqient to my quota! A bright glance and smile, and they started. The music was well marked. Neville had sufficient ear to get on tolera- bly; and moving rapidly tothe inepiriting strains of a good band, with a little soft figure in your arms, and a pair of bright eyes sometimes glancing up to yours, is not an unpleasant mode of advancing one'e fortunes. 7"7finfitflyou do very well indeed.“ said Neville'a fair partner. as they paused for bre_ath afterr a long continued turn. Her easy tone reeeeured Nevxlle, end he replied: “ Having succeeded so far. I fear to peril the reputation I have gainedâ€"and you must be tired. I feel your hand trembling." -â€"he halt involuntarily pressed it to his side. “ It is hot. too. Let us go into the conser- vatory. or get an ice. or something ;" and with a vague idea that he must keep out of Mrs. Coleman's way. he led his partner tolhe conservatory. 7 The subdued light. the fragrance, the atillnebs, the distant music. made up a. deli- oioug‘afingoappere. ‘ “ This is pleasant.“ than all that row." said Neville oomplacently. “Sit hero. Miss Delvigue. You look like a white blos- som yourself. with that back ground of green leqvea_.'_’_ There was an indescribable charm innocent boldness, of frank. fearless! e quality in her manner that delighted quville. Thong h refined and gentle. it was so fresh and unconventional. that he thong ht within himself. " I never dreamed those Southerners could turn out such a woman. I could feel more comfortable and at home if I was not so desperately inclined to kiss her when she looks into my eyes." v, '7‘7Do i IV 7 What a charming idea! And where have you been if you have not been much in civilized life ?" “ Yesâ€"no." returned Neville. hesita. tingly. “ I wish I was there once more." he concluded. with a sigh and a smile. Miss Delvigne looked at him surprised. " Perhaps you are like myself. without relatives or friends. and in a strange land? but go, you are thoroughly English." “Well," said he aloud. “I have been a good deal out of Englandâ€"in India. at the Cape. and out-of-the-way places. And how do you like parties, and dancing. and all this sort ofAthing 7"_ “ Very much indeed: but I like eittin in this pretty. quiet place. and feeling shall be out of school for another hour or two. almost better." " You don‘t like school then?" “ No. indeed! Did you like being at school?" " I dd) English : nevErtheIeai 1 nm porno what. alone. though I never think of it much." lulu”- “ Ahl you must. hnvo many friends. Sir Frederic I" "You mistake me." mild Neville. Amused. “ My lriend Oomqu is whirling nwuy with your tuir friend." “ Ohâ€"theu you are Cspmin Neville I how etrnnae l" " Why strange?" he asked. looking into her eyes. "1 cu. hardly tall. only I thought you must be 811' Frederic Compton. browse- beoauue you looked the oldest. How bright andgleugnt .he seems to be." ,- : ",_,£II_ __:A|_ "WALTERS; 13:11:." and Neville. win: 901119 ”19*. a jzjl», u L- L. “ I do? " she returned candidly , “ ho is not like what 1 pxpoqled. " “ Then you bud formed some expects. tions." resumed Nevilleumiliug. though still piqued. “ And you expected to find him I. muroso old (alloy like‘mysell ?" “ You." said Mine Delvigue. looking u into lllB face and speaking slowly on Ihoughtfullyâ€"“ you are quite difl'erent." This did not sound very oomplimeutery -â€"yet. Neville never felt no complimented by any speech before. It implied so wide a gulf between himself and his friend. that (or a moment he felu a. superior being, and then Mien Delvigue mire-dâ€" “ But he is a great friend of yours? Is be nice and good and true. 9" “ What the deuce does she want to know so much about him for ?" thought Neville. “ How hold all this would hound tram an English girl; yet it seems right and natu- ral from her. She evidently kuowe old. Foster‘s schemes. and is not indiepoaed toward them. Oh. yes," he said aloud. ” Compton ie a capital fellow. and true as steel; at leaatto men." " And to women too, probably." added Neville. "only I have had no oppnrtuuitiea of jgfiging." ---- ‘nun us ivz'vT'orurxen" she said, musingly. and inter- rogapivply. I‘ .- “,‘ v â€"â€"nv*a' _“'Have you then no lxdy friends?" asked Missrpelvigne. __ “ Naif VEauy." he returned. smiling ; " you know I told you I have been buulime in EPglpnd ot_ late yeqrafl "Tell me about Iudm," said she. wibh 9. prawn" 9f 005-!mu9éi- .. \nn‘ 1. . I Neville found it. a little difficult to begin, but onee launched found it away to con. tinue. the sweet attentive eyes, so frankly raisedto his,’ Inspiring a degree of eloquence bhateurpneed himself. . a .An “And‘yon have been in real battlesâ€" and seen men killed or. worse, lymg help- less and aufiermg? I never talked to a soldier before. How hornble war must be!!! 1‘ Most horrible and brutal." replied Neville. “\Vheu the battle is over, one feels half ashamed of the fierce excitement is rousee." ,, " Ah! I could listen long to your stories. but I have stayed too long , let us go back to the dancers.” " So soon ?" cried Neville. “ you cannot be missed just yet. ?" She shook her head. “ Well. then. give me a flower, or even a. leaf " he continued imploriugly, for she had taken her b uq uet. from its resting- place.a.nd was thoughtfully playing with is. “Do you want one very. very much?" she asked. playfully. and with sunh a. win- ning smile that Neville. surprised at his own feelings, and fearful of saying too much. contented himself with a glance, but one so expressive of admiration. that s sudden revelation flashed across his fair oompenion. who. with a dim. uneasy, yet delicious sense of danger, said, less frankly than before. “ Let us return ; perhaps Miss Weatonwillhe looking for me." VNeville silently presented his arm, but checked his companion on the threshold of their leaf): tau-egg Mien Delvigne hesitated. blushed, and ehyly took a. spray of heliotrope from her bosom. which Neville eagerly appropriated, and led her in silence back to the place train whence they came. Here they found the pale quiet girl, whom Neville’s partner addressed sfl’eo- tioneteiy. “ Have you been dancing, dearest. ‘2" " No,” said the pale girl. smiling with; leessnt aroh ex ression; "but I have an much amuse ." "That is well." said Miss Delvigne. and bowing to Neville set down. He lingered a moment, loath to leave her. yet feeling himself dismissed. Pre- sently MreLColeinufl toyehed pie 31:13]â€" “UOme. Captain Neville." she said, "let me get you a putter. 1 must take better one of my friends. I use Sir Frederic Compton. by some stupid mistake. is danc- ing with Miss \Veuton instead of Miss Del- vigng." T'Pmy do not inflxot me on any more youugladies." said Neville, “Ihave dis- suskes! Mia! Delviuveji “Mien Delvigne! Then you have been dancing with her ?" cried Mrs Coleman, in dissatisfied accents. “Ab! you must not beiazy. Captain Neville. I want recruits for the Lancers." “ That is quite beyond me." said Neville, bowmg; and a waiter addressing some communication at that moment to the lady of the house, he escaped into a corner. From thence he had the satisfaction of watching the beautiful heiress go through the Intricate figures with Sir Frederic. who seemed to make himself uncommonly agreeable. and to be on the happiest terms with his partner. Not even his memory of the tone in which she had said. " You are quite different." could silence the whispers of the green eyed monster. Gradually old thoughts crept back to Neville; the gnaw- ing sense of debt and difficultyâ€"the con- tention between his sudden passion for the fair American and his shame at reckoning on a wife's fortune to pay his debts. Yet it was not fair of Compton to suggest such a pleasant mode of liquidation, and than make love to the lady himself. It was not fair by Jove! He (Neville) would make her a far better. steadisr husband than a boy like Compton. Lieut. Poneonby. late of the Royal Navy. whose misconduct last year toward a bar- maid led to her suicide. sad so incensed the mob as to imperil his safety aiter the inquest. has been divorced from his wifeâ€" alady of high connections whom he had desertedâ€"under circumstances deeply disgraceful to him. Grumhlera never work and workers never grumble.â€"Dr. William “ And my 'flower ?" he said. " do not chen (To be continued.)