suppose we must do something in this dreadful little place to keep up our spirits.”

“Yes, I must own it is very dull here, and I certainly should not have come had not a little bird told me at Mrs. Cameron’s dance who was coming here,” said the Captain, with a languishing air.

“I am sure I said nothing about it,” said Miss Bankes, poutingly.

“Beauty attracts like a magnet, Miss Bankes, and you must not be angry with a poor fellow for what can’t be helped.”

“Very well, now you are come, you must be very good, and keep us all amused.”

“I will endeavour to do my best,” said the gallant soldier.

p. 79“Bagshaw, come here!” shouted Mrs. Bagshaw right athwart the parade, startling several of the performers in the band, and drawing all eyes towards her. “Bagshaw, behave yourself like a gentleman. Don’t leave me, sir; I should be ashamed to let the people see me following that woman. It’s disgraceful, mean, and disgusting.”

p. 79

Bagshaw came back, looking ridiculous. He hated to look ridiculous, as who does not? He approached his wife, and said in a low, but angry tone, “You are making a fool of yourself; the people will think you are mad; and they are not far wrong, as I have known to my cost this twenty years.”

Porkington, wife, and drag had just passed up the parade.

“I saw you, I tell you I saw you,” she went on excitedly. “You were sneaking away from my side—you know you were. Don’t laugh at me, Mr. Bagshaw, for I won’t have it. I don’t care who hears me,” she cried in a louder voice, “all the world shall hear how I am treated.”

“Look at Miss Bagshaw,” said the artist to me. “What a good girl she is! I am so sorry for her!” Pity is kin to love, thought I, as I watched the beautiful girl move swiftly up to her father and mother, and in a moment all three moved quietly away.

“Who’s the old girl?” asked Captain O’Brien of Captain Kelly.

“The celebwated Mrs. Bagshaw, wife of Colonel Bagshaw. She was a gweat singer or something not very long ago. Very wich, Tom; chance for you, you know; only daughter, rather a pwetty girl, not much style, p. 80father-in-law and mother-in-law not desiwable, devil of a wow, wampageous, both of them!”

 Prev. P 53/92 next