from Splash to-day; and Splash is altogether in the seventh heaven. He is the proud papa of a real, live son and heir; and they are going to call him after that fellow who died off in the nick of time, Mrs. Splashton's first love, you know."

"He was not her first love," I replied; "she never cared for him at all."

66

Well, she was to have married him anyway, sure it's all one. But as the poor devil took himself out of the way just when they wanted, I suppose they mean to show their gratitude for his conduct by calling the young one after him."

"Fred Splashton was a very good fellow," I observed. "I am glad it is a boy, for I know they wished an heir to Dyne Court."

"His letter should be somewhere," said Barry, plunging his hand vigorously into the recesses of various pockets. "I meant to show it to you, but the devil a bit of it can I find. He said he showed the baby to that big black dog of his wife's, who looked at it as if he would like to make one mouthful of it; and Splash laughed, and said, 'Ah! Nip, my fine fellow, you'll have your nose put out of joint now !' on which Nip gave a growl, and Mrs. Splashton called out from the bed, 'Don't believe him, Nip; nothing of the kind shall happen to you, my good old dog. Does he think I shall like a nasty, little, squalling baby better than you, my fine fellow?' Upon which Nip looked quite contemptuously at the baby, and marched off in silent indignation; and he has been quite sulky with Splash ever since."

66

"Poor old Nip," I soliloquized.

"I say, Charley, what's the matter with you?" said

Barry, inquiringly. "You're a peg and a-half too low to-night. What is wrong, my dear boy?"

"Nothing," I replied, shortly.

"Well, that's not much, certainly; but nothing doesn't give you that hang-dog look, and nothing doesn't make you sigh forty-engine power, as you have been doing for the last half-hour. What's wrong, Charley? Out with it, make a clean breast of it; I'll help you if I can."

I still remained silent, puffing away at my cigar.

Sure, Charley, that's not kind of you," said Barry, in a reproachful tone; “I'd tell you if I had anything on my mind. Two heads are often better than one. You haven't been quarrelling with Percy Lascelles ? A split in the cabinet, eh?"

"Oh, no, Barry; nothing of the kind."

"Nothing wrong at the cottage, I hope? I know you were there to-night. Has the pretty widow been treating you to a few frowns instead of those bewitching smiles of hers, with which she is turning all the susceptible heads in Dublin? I say, Charley, when are we to congratulate you? Which is it to be, you or Lascelles ?"

"I don't understand you, Barry. What-what do you mean?"

"Sure my meaning is plain enough; but maybe I am speaking too soon. It's clear enough to me that that lovely creature is to become the prize of one of you, and as far as I can judge you are the lucky winner; indeed, that is all as it should be."

"What makes you think so, Barry?" I inquired.

"Two and two make four, my dear fellow; and I

have eyes, although you, maybe, do not think it; and ears, too, for that matter."

"Well, Barry?"

"Oh! I must explain myself, must I? Well, then, I'll do it. Two good-looking young fellows like Lascelles and you, don't go dangling for ever after a pretty woman like Lady Duneden for nothing; nor do I think her the woman to allow such remarkable intimacy without she intended to marry one of you in the end. She can't have you both, you know, bigamy being contrary to the laws of the land; and I only hope it is all cut and dried long before this. You have the best right to her, seeing that you are an old friend, and were kind to her at a time when she much needed it. Maybe I am saying more than I have any right to do; but I see there is something on your mind, my boy, though I may be wrong in my conjectures as to what it is. She is a right pretty woman, Charley, and no one could blame either of you for falling in love with her; but I would be sorry to see any misunderstanding between Percy Lascelles and you. He has been your friend, Charley; a very good friend he has been, and will be. Let all be open between you-no reserve or concealment. Sure it is by far the best way, and you will find that in the long run. If you think she likes you, and you feel that you cannot give her up, go to Lascelles and tell him so; and if I know anything of Percy Lascelles, he is not the man to stand in your way, even at the cost of a few twinges to himself. Some people call Percy cold and proud; I can only say that I know no man who would more readily do another a good turn if he could; and if I were in any scrape or trouble, I know nobody to whom I would sooner apply for advice or assistance than Percy Las

celles; ay, and with the certainty of getting it too. He may have his faults-we are none of us perfect, sure it's myself that is a far remove from that same; but take my word for it, Charley, we haven't got a better fellow in the regiment than Lascelles; and the 144th are not such a bad lot either. Then, on the other hand, if you think Percy is deeply in for it, and giving her up will be a very serious matter to him, put a bold face on it and give her up yourself: that is, of course, if you think she has a liking for him. Better now than when you have both gone too far to retract. You will thank me for my advice some day, Charley, though you may not quite like it now. Lookers-on see more of the game than the players; and I have had my misgivings about you lately, my dear boy. Don't mind my plain speaking sure I mean it all kindly— you've a fast friend in Ned Barry, if you'll only believe it. Take another weed, and don't speak unless you like it; only just say it's all right, that you're not offended at my long sermon."

"My dear Barry, I am infinitely obliged to you," I replied, with energy; offended, indeed! pray don't

suppose me such a brute."

"Well, advice is not always taken in good part," said Barry, musingly; "sure I don't know that my own taste runs very much in favour of it. People always have an idea that they are best able to judge of their own concerns; and the supposition seems rather a natural one. And what's the odds, Charley, my boy, so long as we're happy ?"

66

Very true," I replied.

VOL. III.

G

CHAPTER VIII.

THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER.

PERHAPS the reader can understand that I did not have a very sound night's rest after the conversation detailed in the last chapter; it set me thinking— thinking very seriously.

I did not doubt Nelly for an instant, nor Lascelles ; I knew the latter would never willingly supersede me in the affections of one whom I could scarcely avoid considering as my betrothed wife; nor had I any reason to imagine that he regarded her in any other light than as a beautiful and agreeable woman-the future bride of his greatest friend.

Nelly liked Lascelles very much-I knew that; but as to loving him, that was quite another matter. Even when I had felt uncomfortable at her high praises of him, I had never seriously contemplated the possibility of there being good grounds for this idea on my part; never had I seen the slightest symptom of anything that could lead me to suppose there was more than common friendship between

them.

But now, Barry had planted fresh thorns in my heart; I did not believe I had any serious cause for