Sword and Gown

eading down into the road, when Major Keene passed by again. If he had never heard of her before, the smooth sweeping outline of her magnificent form, and the careless grace of her attitud

o marvelously exquisite, that they attracted his eyes, as long as he dared to fix them without risking a stare; and kept his thoughts busy till he saw her again. "Caramba!" he muttered, hal

said. "Isn't it lucky, her first mor

ths? I suppose you only took the rough edge off last night. Don't hurt her, please, that's all. And, Hal, you were actually going to preside over the meeting

ut we mean to walk this afternoon, and he may com

e. It's that excitable husband of yours that wants disciplining. I'll give him some soda-water by way of a precaution. Then, when you ha

slightly disappointed; but he yielded the point, as he alw

latter said, abruptly, whe

could give him 21lb., and a beating any day. They say, two men have to stand over him whenever he tries to write a letter, for no one is strong enough to keep him straight in his spelling and grammar. If he tries it on alone, he gets bewildered in the second sentence, and wanders up and dow

brotherly affection? Every body who is fond of Miss Tresilyan seems to take to liquor. Annes

to stint Dick in his brandy very often. It's th

ree-agency altogether. He has no intellects to be affected by it apparently; and I dar

rning, till they came to the place of meeting. Somehow or another, it d

the Castle-hill. Dick Tresilyan had "got his pass signed" for the day, and had started off, with his c

raight and firmly and lightly every footfall was planted, you gave the narrow arched instep, and the slender rounded ankle, the credit they well deserved; marveling only that so delicate a symmetry could conceal so much sinewy po

luck) to walk along a pier or a parade, without meeting a succession of Red Rovers-each capable of boarding him at a minute's notice, and making all his affections walk the plank. Her tunic of iron-gray velvet, without fitting tightly to her figure, still did it

orned," etc., in profounder scorn. A pair of badly-fitting gloves, a soiled collerette, or a tumbled dres

et-cup that rewards a two hours' innings. "It's very refreshing, after weeks of total abstinence, to see a woman who

f, so many irreverent and hard-hearted reprobates called it "whining." It was very unfortunate; for few could be found, even in the somewhat exacting class to which she belonged, more anxious and active in enlisting sympathy. She was looking especially ill-tempered just then, but Major Keene was not easily daunted, and he went in at her straight and gallantly-about the weather, it is needless to say, both being English. While Mrs. Danvers was disagreeing with him, Cecil took her turn at inspection. Royston's name was familiar to her, of course, for no one ever talked to Mrs. Molyneux for ten minutes without hearing it. Though she had scarcely glanced at him in the morning, she ha

was at the Lion d'Or this morning, and staid half an hour. He

omething for somebody's benefit. I hope you'll indulge him, in charity to us. You have no idea what it has been. Two Sundays ago, for instance, a Mr. Rolleston and his wife volunteered to give us a lead. He didn't look like a racing man; and yet he must h

her irreverent, and did not smile.

self, when you know how it annoys Mrs. Molyneux. He is right, though, Miss Tresilyan; it is a case of real distress: our vocal de

acing plate. So she first smiled consolingly at the culprit, who was already contrite, and then looked up at the last speaker with amusement and wonder glittering in her pretty brown eyes. She did not see what interest the subject could have for Keene, who had only darkene

ctly, but not a line of his face moved. He was waiting for C

ght, and I don't think he ever heard me sing. But I shall do my best n

it her lip, and colored angrily. Nothing annoyed her like

e had scarcely listened to the words, but he thought, "I knew I was right; I knew the voice would match t

ngth and agility: even at the Opera they make one rather uncomfortable. Some of the very scientific pieces suggest ideas of homicide or suicide, as the case may be, according to my tempe

uaintance, to tempt forth the brilliant smile t

under protest. But there are some quiet songs I like so much that I sing them to myself when I am out of spirits, and it does me good. Don't you like

seditious Irish ones: rather spirited-only they had not grammar enough to ballast them. The writer either was, or wanted to be, transported. We are all very fond of the Guelphs-at least every body in decent society is-and that is just the reason why

suppose it is very easy to do so, for so many people

es in the manège; indeed, there is not enough of these to make a fair illustration, so I was wrong to bring them in. When he settles to his stride, few of the 'cracks' of last century seem

ad bent so low that one of her black tresses almost touched his smooth golden curls; you could just see the hilt of the dagger under her left hand. That, and the corpse's quiet, pale face were the only two objects that stood out in relief; for the storm outside was stir

the Chloe class, in which our ancestors delighted; still, they are indefensible. If our Lauras find Petrarchs now, they are usually very beardless ones, and the green morocco cover, with its golden lock, cover

cheeks burn, as if we were performing some very ridiculous part in

, you know, in the campaign which finished him. Long before that the charming Annie had given her promise true to Craigdarroch; and she had to keep it, tant bien que mal, for it was pronounced

not nearly so sad. I always fancied the man who wrote those lines must have ended so happily

ement made her look so handsome that Keene's glance could not withhold admira

e, their mistresses went with the other luxuries. They had not many of these in the brigade, if we can believe history. Fortunately for us (or we should have missed the song) Finland never knew of the 'fresh fere' who drie

e it; but I am afraid you

with you! Indeed, I will be more careful for the future. We are out-walking the main-guard, I see. Shall w

ve their hero in extreme peril, or their heroine on the verge of a moral precipice, in order to keep our curio

e would have preferred originating the suggestion. Besides, the conversation had begun to interest her; and she liked being amused too well not to be sorry for its being cu

rtain imperial dignity attaches to them long after they have ceased to reign: over the brows that have worn worthily the diadem there still hangs the phantasm of a shadowy crown. There need be nothing of repellent haughtiness, or, what is worse, of evident condescension; but, though they are perfectly gentle and good-natured, we risk our little sallies and sarcasms with timidity, or at least diffidence; feeling especially that a commo

alty surround the Tresilyan because she