There was such an air of sincerity--or at least of assumed humility--in the man's tone and manner that Miles felt it unjustifiable to retain his indignation. At the same time, he could not all at once repress it, and was hesitating whether to fling off from the man or to forgive him, when the sound of many voices, and of feet tramping in regular time, struck his ear and diverted his attention. Next moment the head of a regiment, accompanied by a crowd of juvenile admirers, swept round the corner of the street. At the same instant a forest of bayonets gleamed upon the youth's vision, and a brass band burst with crashing grandeur upon his ear, sending a quiver of enthusiasm into the deepest recesses of his soul, and stirring the very marrow in his bones! Miles stood entranced until the regiment had passed, and the martial strains were softened by distance; then he looked up and perceived that his shabby companion was regarding him with a peculiar smile. "I think you've a notion of being a soldier," he said, with a smile. "Where is that regiment going?" asked Miles, instead of answering the question. "To barracks at present; to Egypt in a few days. There'll be more followin' it before long." It was a distracting as well as an exciting walk that Miles had through the town, for at every turn he passed couples or groups of soldiers, or sailors, or marines, and innumerable questions sprang into and jostled each other in his mind, while, at the same moment, his thoughts and feelings were busy with his present circumstances and future prospects. The distraction was increased by the remarks and comments of his guide, and he would fain have got rid of him; but good-feeling, as well as common-sense, forbade his casting him off without sufficient reason. Presently he stopped, without very well knowing why, in front of a large imposing edifice. Looking up, he observed the words SOLDIERS' INSTITUTE in large letters on the front of it. "What sort of an Institute is that?" he asked. "Oh! it's a miserable affair, where soldiers are taken in cheap, as they say, an' done for," returned the shabby man hurriedly, as if the subject were distasteful to him. "Come along with me and I'll show you places where soldiers--ay, and civilians too--can enjoy themselves like gentlemen, an' get value for their money." As he spoke, two fine-looking men issued from a small street close to them, and crossed the road--one a soldier of the line, the other a marine. "Here it is, Jack," exclaimed the soldier to his friend; "Miss Sarah Robinson's Institoot, that you've heard so much about. Come an' I'll show you where you can write your letter in peace--" Thus much was overheard by Miles as they turned into a side-street, and entered what was obviously one of the poorer districts of the town. "Evidently that soldier's opinion does not agree with yours," remarked Miles, as they walked along.