General applause followed this speech, under cover of which Lady M’Adam and her two satellites managed to escape from the Duchess’s apartments, which, it may be added, they never entered again. Having affectionately bidden good night to her kind hostess, Evelyn retired as early as possible, and was escorted to her rooms by her soldier brother. And there a new surprise overtook them, for who should they find awaiting their return but Mr. Elthorne and his daughter Mary, and Mr. Merivale. “We came off at once unknown to each other,” cried both the gentlemen at once, “and we met at Preston Station, and here we are!” There they were indeed, and perhaps there never was such a shaking of hands as that which ensued. Such indeed was the excitement of the moment, that Mary Elthorne was kissed by the Lieutenant, and the same operation was performed by the Rector and Mr. Merivale upon Evelyn. In these greetings these good folks were all very happy, and if “Kissing and crying kept company,” the kissing, _pace_ Lady Lavinia, was very innocent, and the tears that were shed were tears of joy. In fact, the prophecy of old Biddy Maguire--which, truth to tell, had in the course of his wanderings more than once occurred to Wilfred’s mind--was fulfilled to the letter. It was long after twelve when the three men retired, the Lieutenant to the Barracks, where he found several of his old comrades sitting up to cheer him on his return, and the two other gentlemen to the Mitre, where they had already secured beds, and for that night Mary Elthorne shared the couch of her old friend Evelyn. Next morning, before the men were dismissed from parade, Colonel Hawkins informed them of the elevation of their Sergeant and former comrade. Upon this arose a loud shout of joy, and Messrs. Elthorne and Merivale, coming in at the gate, beheld Wilfred seized by the men and carried in triumph round the barrack yard. Fresh shouts arose when it transpired that Lieutenant Grimwood had resigned, on nomination to a staff appointment, and that Lieutenant Wilfred Manwaring would take his place, and remain among them.