Among the many gay and dashing companions of our rides, I remarked that, however anxious for such a distinction, none ever seemed to make any way in her good graces; and I had already gone far in my self-deception that I was destined for good fortune, when a circumstance which occurred one morning at length served to open my eyes to the truth, and blast by one fatal breath the whole harvest of my hopes.
We were about to set out one morning on a long ride, when Sir George's presence was required by the arrival of an officer who had been sent from the Horse Guards on official business.

After half an hour's delay, Colonel Cameron, the officer in question, was introduced, and entered into conversation with our party.

He had only landed in England from the Peninsula a few days before, and had abundant information of the stirring events enacting there.

At the conclusion of an anecdote,--I forget what,--he turned suddenly round to Miss Dashwood, who was standing beside me, and said in a low voice:-- "And now, Miss Dashwood, I am reminded of a commission I promised a very old brother officer to perform.

Can I have one moment's conversation with you in the window ?" As he spoke, I perceived that he crumpled beneath his glove something like a letter.
"To me ?" said Lucy, with a look of surprise that sadly puzzled me whether to ascribe it to coquetry or innocence,--"to me ?" "To you," said the colonel, bowing; "and I am sadly deceived by my friend Hammersley--" "Captain Hammersley ?" said she, blushing deeply as she spoke.
I heard no more.