Surely it is not necessary for you to cry about it like a great girl." But that night, after dark, when Sam and Alice were taking one of those agreeable nocturnal walks, which all young lovers are prone to, they came smoothly gliding over the lawn close up to the house, and then, unseen and unheard, they saw Captain Brentwood with his arm round Jim's neck, and heard him say,-- "O James! James! why did you want to leave me ?" And Jim answered.

"Father, I didn't know.

I didn't know my own mind.
But I can't call back now." Sam and Alice slipt back again, and continued their walk.

Let us hear what conversation they had been holding together before this little interruption.
"Alice, my darling, my love, you are more beautiful than ever!" "Thanks to your absence, my dear Sam.

You see how well I thrive without you." "Then when we are----" "Well ?" said Alice.