These were exclamations which would have revealed all in a moment, even though Emmy had not sprung up and rushed into Willie's open arms. How she ever emerged from the embrace of those arms with unbroken bones is a mystery which cannot be solved, but she did emerge in safety, and with some confusion on observing that Miles had witnessed the incident with admiring gaze! "Never mind him, Emmy," said the young soldier, laughing; "he's a good friend, a comrade. Shake hands with him." The action, and the ease of manner with which Emmy obeyed, proved that grace and small hands are not altogether dependent on rank or station. "Excuse me," said Miles, after a few words of salutation; "I'll go and have a look at the library." So saying he quitted the room, leaving the young couple alone; for there chanced to be no other visitors to the reception-room at the time. In the lobby he found several soldiers and a couple of sailors enjoying coffee at the bar, and was about to join them when a man came forward whose dress was that of a civilian, though his bearing proclaimed him a soldier. "Hallo, Brown," exclaimed one of the soldiers, "d'ye know that a troop-ship has just come in!" "Know it? of course I do; you may trust the people of this house to be first in hearing such news." "Mr Tufnell told me of it. I'm just going down to the jetty to boil the kettle for them." As he spoke, two ladies of the Institute descended the broad staircase, each with a basket on her arm. They entered into conversation for a few minutes with the soldiers at the bar, and it was abundantly evident to Miles, from the kindly tone of the former and the respectful air of the latter, that they were familiar acquaintances, and on the best of terms. "Are you all ready, Brown?" asked one of the ladies of the soldier-like civilian, whom we have already mentioned. "All ready, Miss; a man has already gone to order the bread and butter and light the fire. I hear the vessel is crowded, so we may expect a full house to-night." Miles pricked up his ears on hearing this, and when Brown went out, leaving the two ladies to finish their conversation with the soldiers, he followed him. "Pardon me," he said, on overtaking the man. "Did I understand correctly that a troop-ship has just arrived?" "Right," said Brown. "I am just going down to the embarkation jetty to get coffee ready for the men. You seem to have joined but a short time, apparently, for though I am familiar with your uniform I have not seen yourself before." "True, it is not long since I joined, and this is my first visit to the Institute." "I hope it won't be the last, friend," returned Brown heartily. "Every soldier is welcome there, and, for the matter of that, so is every sailor and marine." "I have heard as much. May I accompany you to this jetty to see the troops arrive, and this coffee business that you speak of?"