quent visits to a fashionable hair-cutting establishment, emerging from thence with his rather scanty locks curled, as Barry said, "within an inch of their life;" then great indeed was the interest and delectation of his brother officers, and many a quiet piece of fun was good-naturedly poked at him.

And so one day he made a clean breast of it, and allowed that it was "une affaire finie," and that he hoped soon to have the pleasure of introducing Mrs. Thompson to their acquaintance. He also told us that after his marriage he intended to leave the army, as neither his future wife nor himself wished to lead a roving life, but meant to settle down quietly, and live in peace and comfort for the remainder of their days.

"I shall never forget the old 144th," he remarked, with much feeling; "nor all the happy days I have spent with it; and never a man of the corps but shall find a warm welcome while John Thompson has a roof to cover his head. My wife and I will always be glad to see an old comrade at our board, and have a good talk over the old times. Many a merry hour may we yet have together."

We all heartily echoed his wish; and not a man in the regiment but lamented the departure of the worthy major.

"Begad! if I don't think a matrimonial fit has come over the regiment," said Captain Lacy, with emphasis; "something must be done to stop it before it goes any further. I wonder what the deuce the symptoms are, so as to take them in time?”

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Riding in the Phoenix with dark-haired damsels in killing wide-awakes, and sending them bouquets next morning-eh, Lacy? Where were you yesterday at four o'clock?" asked Captain Lee, knowingly.

"Oh! you are there, are you?" replied Lacy, laughing. "Well, saving your presence, you never were further from the mark. I have no matrimonial intentions in that quarter, I can assure you.”

"But they have, let me tell you; and that may do equally well in the end. Mother Kearney is notoriously on the look-out."

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For eligibles-yes; but I do not come under that head. However, she is a civil old girl-gives capital feeds, of which I get more than my share; and that said dark-haired little Kearney is a very jolly little girl, but with a vast deal too much 'way' on her for my taste. Nothing should ever induce me to marry a fast woman, though they are capital fun now and then."

"I wonder what all the A- girls are doing?" said Marsh. "They were a goodish lot, on the whole." "Some one told me that little Fanny Thompson was married to a curate; some soft youth that she walked into in the old way; and now she drawls and turns up her eyes, and never hears a polka or a deuxtemps without shuddering."

"Ah! sure, she was a nice little girl once," said Barry, with such a tremendous sigh, that we all went into fits of laughter.

I

"The eldest was the only one worth anything," observed Lacy. "Something might have been made of her, if she had been taken in hand sooner. believe the man she ran away with ill-uses her shamefully; beats her, I hear, and behaves like a perfect brute."

"Do you know where they are?” I inquired.

"Somewhere on the Continent; and he gambles from morning to night. She supports herself by

teaching English in some school; but I believe he carries off every penny she makes."

Poor Eleanor!

I was present at Major Thompson's marriage, and saw him made the happiest of men.

We went down some little time previously, and took up our abode with a brother of Miss Barham's, who had a very comfortable house and a large family, which included two or three nice, merry daughters. While with them, we were fêted and made much of in a manner truly Irish, and a most agreeable fortnight or three weeks I spent in that hospitable neighbourhood; winding up a succession of dinners and balls with the grand dénouement of the wedding, soon after which I returned to Dublin.

CHAPTER XV.

FLORENCE.

I ARRIVED pretty late in the afternoon; and among the many notes of invitation lying on my table there was one to a ball at Lady T's, which was to come off that very night.

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Lascelles informed me that Nelly was going, and that he had half-promised to look in for an hour. But now you have come back, old fellow," he said, laughing, “I am not quite so sure that I shall put in an appearance. I never dance, so am of no use; and you are ten per cent. better in the cloaking department."

"Oh! Charley, I am so glad to see you," said Nelly, eagerly; "but where is Percy? Have you not brought him with you?" and she looked bitterly disappointed.

"He is perhaps coming later," I replied; you know he is a sad lazy fellow about balls."

"but

She made no reply, but there was a slight flush and a quivering of the lip, and then she began to question me about my country visit, and to inquire how the wedding went off.

"Do you know, Charley," she said, presently, “I

am so particularly anxious for Percy to come to-night; there is a cousin of his staying with Lady T-, such a beautiful woman, and so very agreeable; I have perfectly lost my heart to her. She knows of our engagement," continued Nelly, with a bright blush, "and she begged to be introduced to me."

"What is her name?" I inquired, rather drily.

"Mrs. Vincent. She is a widow, with one little girl; and I believe her husband was killed accidentally soon after their marriage. I wonder Percy never mentioned her."

"Where is she?" I asked, looking round the room, where I saw no trace of the beautiful Florence.

"She does not dance, and is sitting in the conservatory. I have been having quite a long talk with her; and I rather think there has been some family quarrel, or something of that kind, for she seems slightly to dread meeting Percy; and I wished so much to see him, and beg him to speak kindly to her, poor thing! She takes such an interest in him-and in me-and said she could never feel as a stranger towards his future wife."

Ah! Nelly-beware!

"By and bye she returned, and said to me, "Charley, come with me and be introduced to Mrs. Vincent. She has recognised you as a travelling companion, and says you rendered her a great service."

I accompanied her to the dimly-lighted conservatory; and there, on a low chair, the subdued rays of a soft alabaster lamp fell on the magnificent form and features of this too lovely woman.

A black velvet robe encircled her figure, and fell in sweeping folds around her; the skirt was open in front, and displayed a rich white satin petticoat,