son himself. Should he refuse to meet me, I'll horsewhip him, if he were twenty Colonel Nicholsons."

Tut! tut! tut!" cried Southard: "horsewhip your lieutenant-colonel ?"

There was a ring at the door, and the servant announced Captain White, who immediately entered with his usual undisturbed and indifferent manner. He was one of those natures which nothing lashes into phrensy. Deep emotion only stilled him, and gave him more perfect mastery over his reason and passions.

"How are you, Southard? How are you, ma'am ?" said he to Mrs. Southard, as she entered hastily and affrighted, for the voice of Glendenning had reached her while watching her child to sleep.

"How are you, Glendenning ?"

"Where have you been?" inquired Glendenning. "Why did you not return to me? Why are you not at the ball?"

"I have been looking into matters a little, and, as for my absence from the ball, if you mean Colonel Nicholson's ball, I have not been invited. I wish you'd give me a cup of tea, Mrs. Southard, will you ?"

"We are just going to have some," said she, as she rang. "Oh, what is all this to end in ?"

There was a pause, which no one seemed inclined to break.

"You take it coolly, Captain White," at length said Glendenning.

"Coolly! why not?"

"You are just in time with your coolness now," said Southard; "Captain Glendenning is likely to have use for it."

"It is at his service, and therefore I sought him. A little sugar, if you please! your tea has positively the flavour of Caravan, Mrs. Southard."

"It is but common tea," said the lady.

"Then, perhaps, I am thirsty. What a day we've had. Rome and Naples have few more delightful."

"If it would but last the year through," said Mrs. Southard, who perceived he desired to change the con

versation.

"It wouldn't be so pleasant," answered White. “I remember once spending a winter at Rome, and I posi

tively surfeited on the beauty of the climate. No wind, no cloud; a sky of the most transparent clearness and exquisite hues; week after week, month after month, nothing but that everlasting bright heaven and still air. I got monstrously sick of it, to be sure, and was as glad to see a dull day as I am here to see a fine one."

"What a climate for art, for architecture, statues, temples, columns, and triumphal arches!" said Southard.

Yes, famous place! interesting things! good buildings! and devilish nice people they must have been!" Unchristian, bloody, and barbarous, though!"

"But immensely clever," said White, finishing his second cup. "Now, then, Glendenning, a word to you." His friend silently rose and followed him into his room, where the servant had placed lights.

END OF VOL. I.