"Handsome? Divine. But she's as lofty as a queen--won't allow any nonsense--I didn't get a kiss the whole day. She will have it we are not even engaged till I hear from the governor; and I can't get a letter till Tuesday, at soonest. Doctor, it's maddening. If all is not settled in a week, and that angel mine within six more--as she says she will be, parents consenting--I do believe it will drive me mad." "Having her, or losing?" "Either. She puts me nearly out of my senses." "Sit down then, and put yourself into them again. For a few minutes, at least." For I perceived the young fellow was warm with something besides love. He had been solacing himself with wine and cigars in the mess-room. Intemperance was not one of his failings, nor was he more than a little excited now; not by any means what men consider "overtaken," or, to use the honester and uglier word, "drunk." Yet, as he stood there, lolling against the door, with hot cheeks and watery eyes, talking and laughing louder than usual, and diffusing an atmosphere both nicotian and alcoholic, I thought it was as well on the whole that his divinity did not see her too human young adorer. I have often pitied women, mothers, wives, sisters. If they could see some of us men as we often see one another! Treherne talked rapturously of the family at Rockmount--the father and the three young ladies. I asked if there were no mother. "No. Died, I believe, when my Lisabel was a baby. Lisabel; isn't it a pretty name? Lisabel Treherne, better still--beats Lisabel Johnston hollow." This seemed an opportunity for questions, which must be put; safer put them now, than when Treherne was in a soberer and more observant mood. "Johnston is a Border name. Are they Scotch?" "Not to my knowledge--I never inquired. Will, if you wish, doctor. You canny Scots always hang together, ha! ha!--but I say, did you ever see three nicer girls? Shouldn't you like one of them for yourself?" I! "Thank you--I am not a marrying man; but you will find them a pleasant family, apparently. Are there any more sisters?" "No!--quite enough, too." "Nor brothers?" "Not the ghost of one!" "Perhaps,"--was it I, or some mocking imp speaking through my lips--"perhaps only the ghost of one. None now living, probably?" "None at all that I ever heard of. So much the better; I shall have her more to myself. Heigho! it's an age till Tuesday." "You'd better go to your bed, and shorten the time, by ten hours." "So I will. Night, night, old fellow--as they teach little brats to say, on disappearing from dessert.'Pon my life, I see myself the venerated head of a household, and pillar of the state already. You'll be quite proud of my exceeding respectability." He put his head in again, two minutes after, with a nod and a wink. "I say, think better of it. Try for Miss Dora--the second. Charteris one, me the other, and you the third. What a jolly lot of brothers-in-law. Do think better of it."