what the deuce do you go knocking a fellow about for ?" was his first question on opening his eyes. "A joke's a joke, but eh? Why? Oh yes! I remember now-ah!" and with a long gasp of relief he closed his eyes and lay back again. I did not disturb him.

It was a happy evening for both of us, though little was said on either side.

Adolphus sat plunged in meditation, but every now and then a ray of joy like a sunbeam flashed across his face, and he would rise and grasp my hand, and "God-bless me, "not so much for my own sake, old fellow," he would say "not so much for myself as for her. A man is stronger-he goes about the world, and has distractions; but a woman-what has a woman got to do but brood over her troubles? Poor Mary! what lines she's had!

Donald, for her!"

God bless you,

It was in vain to disclaim personal merit,

and point out that I was little more than an accidental instrument.

"Well, Adolphus," I said, "this likeness of ours has, I hope, been the means of bringing about your happiness, and you shall thank me as much as ever you like that is, thank the likeness, provided it continues to be a good angel, and carries out in my case the good work it has begun; for if it hadn't been for you and it, you know, I should never have met Lady Rose, probably."

'Carry it out, old boy! Of course it will carry it out."

"Ah! I'm not sure of that; I have nothing positive to go on. Lady Rose may have forgotten all about me by this time."

Forgotten all about you! as if any one could forget the best fellow who ever walked on the earth! Never! I'll stake my life on your being accepted. If you weren't, I'd

follow her about the world and give her no rest. I'd haunt her like a shadow-like somebody's ghost-always saying, 'Be mine! Be mine!'-only I'd say, 'be his, be his!' of course, you know;" and with a hearty laugh at this novel specific for securing the affections of a young lady, we separated for the night in high spirits.

CHAPTER XVIII.

"Such then," said Una, "as she seemeth here,
Such is the face of Falsehood; such the sight
Of fowle Duessa, when her borrowed light
Is laid away, and counterfesaunce knowne."

-SPENSER: Faerie Queene.

THE lawyer was with us next day at noon punctually.

"Wish you joy, Captain Burridge," he exclaimed, "with all my heart, I'm sure; the case is complete, and the identification merely formal, for your own satisfaction; and it will depend upon yourself whether criminal proceedings are to be instituted against the lady or not."

"Oh! hang the proceedings! I don't want a row; let me be quit of her, that's all.”

"That shall be, my

you

dear sir-that you

shall be. You must nerve yourself for the unpleasantness of confronting her now, however. It will be painful, but, like toothdrawing, it will soon be over. You will be able to command your feelings, I do trust?"

Burridge, with the morning light, had arrayed himself anew in the profound stolidity of the heavy dragoon, and he answered the attorney with ox-like wonder in his eye. "Painful? it's the jolliest thing I've had to do for seven years, I can tell you."

"Delighted to hear you take that view of it, my dear sir; it will be well that I accompany you, I suppose?"

"Oh! certainly, certainly; and here comes Mr Finney, I suppose," as a knock came to the door.

"A party for Captain Bruce," said the waiter, throwing open the door; and in walked Mr Finney.