"I'll sing you a new one I got the other day," said Jin, flashing another of her dangerous glances through the smoke that was curling round Frank Vanguard's comely face. "It's called, 'Yes--I like you,' and there's _a moral_ in it. Thanks! It does best without an accompaniment," and, looking very bewitching as she pushed her hair back, she began: "YES--I LIKE YOU." When I meet you, can I greet you With a haughty little stare? Scarcely glancing, where you're prancing, By me on the chestnut mare. Still dissembling, though I'm trembling, Thus you know we're trained and taught. For I like you, doesn't it strike you? Like you more than p'raps I ought! Yes--I like you, doesn't it strike you? Like you more than p'raps I ought! When I meet you, must I treat you As a stranger, calm and cold, Softer feeling, half revealing,-- Are you _waiting_ to be told? D' you suppose, sir, that a rose, sir, Picks _itself_ to reach your breast? And I like you, doesn't it strike you? Like you more than all the rest. Yes--I like you, &c. When I meet you, I could eat you, Dining with my Uncle John; Sitting next you, so perplexed, you Ought to guess my heart is gone. While I'm choking, 'tis provoking You can munch, and talk, and drink, Though I like you, doesn't it strike you? Like you more than you may think! Yes--I like you, &c. When I meet you, I could beat you, For your solemn face and glum. Don't you see, sir, _you_ are free, sir, I have all the worst to come! Mother's warning, sisters' scorning-- Qualms of prudence, pride and pelf. Oh! I like you--doesn't it strike you? Like you more than life itself! Yes--I like you, &c. There was no mistaking the hint conveyed in this touching ditty; but whether he accepted it or not, the song was hardly concluded ere Frank took leave of the company. Certain regimental duties, he said, looking hard at Helen, required his presence in barracks, and therefore he had come on horseback, so as to return at his own time. He regretted it extremely, of course. He had spent a delightful day, and could not thank his entertainers enough. This civil little speech he addressed indeed to Uncle Joseph and Mrs. Lascelles, but his eyes sought Miss Hallaton's the while, and their imploring expression cut her to the heart.