"I am going on to Dickson's, and I shall be back home to-night, I hope.

I am glad to find you so late, as I have had no breakfast, and have ridden ten miles." He took breakfast with us and went on.

The morning passed somewhat heavily, as a morning is apt to do, after sitting up late and drinking punch.

Towards noon Desborough said,-- "Now, if anybody will confess that he drank just three drops too much punch last night, I will do the same.

Mrs.Buckley, my dear lady, I hope you will order plenty of pale ale for lunch." Lunch passed pleasantly enough, and afterwards the Major, telling Sam to move a table outside into the verandah, disappeared, and soon came back with a very "curious" bottle of Madeira.