In my anxiety upon the subject, I communicated my wishes to a friend on the duke's staff, and the following morning, as I presented myself at his levee, he called me towards him and addressed me:-- "What leave have you got, Captain O'Malley ?" "Three months, your Royal Highness." "Do you desire an unattached troop; for if so, an opportunity occurs just at this moment." "I thank you most sincerely, sir, for your condescension in thinking of me; but my wish is to join my regiment at the expiration of my leave." "Why, I thought they told me you wanted to spend some time in Ireland ?" "Only sufficient to see my friends, your Royal Highness.

That done, I'd rather join my regiment immediately." "Ah, that alters the case! So then, probably, you'd like to leave us at once.

I see how it is; you've been staying here against your will all this while.

Then, don't say a word.

I'll make your excuses at Carlton House; and the better to cover your retreat, I'll employ you on service.