But, if I have any little influence left, 'at Headquarters,' that shall always be exerted for you.

I am always glad to meet you, your father's son, for Colonel Hardwicke was a true soldier of the olden days--brave, loyal, and beyond reproach." The lover's beating heart was smothered in this flowing honey.

"Ah! I must trust to Simpson!" he mused.

"The old man is a sly one!" Politely bowed out by the stern, lonely old man, Major Hardwicke departed, his conversational guns spiked with the deft compliments, as the mighty clatter of the returning General filled the courtyard of the Marble House.
In the soft, wooing stillness of the night, Simpson, at the young Major's side, found time to whisper: "Never let the Guv'nor see us together! He's a sly one! There's a honey-baited trap in this! The girl's been spirited off to Europe! I only know that--but, as yet, no more." "What do you mean?
Is he lying to me ?" gasped Hardwicke, with a sinking heart.
"Rightly said!" huskily whispered Simpson.

"Seek for her--London ways--I'll find it out soon where she is, and I'm just scholar enough to write! Give me your own safe London address! I heard ye would soon take yer long leave.