Thank God, the Viceroy keeps me out of this dirty muddle! You see, I have no power over Johnstone--he is a blasted civilian." Two hours later, the grateful old General found Hardwicke pacing up and down impatiently.

"I ought only to tell Murray," he murmured, "if I could! He is going home to be married, and I am to stand up with him." "Just the thing!" gayly cried Willoughby.

"Murray's captaincy is in the Gazette of to-day's mail.

I will order him down with you, in command of the guard, and, at Calcutta, the Viceroy will release you from your promise, so as to let him know that you can meet him in London.

His Excellency evidently wants to hoodwink all the gossips here, and, above all, to blind old Johnstone.