“Why, the fact is, mother, I came over to-day to call on Conger and Sprattles of the ----th, who are both right good fellows; and when I had taken pot-luck with them at the barracks, I felt I couldn’t go back to Town without coming to see how my dear old mother’s bronchitis was getting on. Now let me sit down, and give me a cup of tea, for I must be off in a few minutes, the last train on this stupid South Western line starts at ten.” So saying, the Duke threw himself down on an ottoman beside Miss Manwaring, and the two were soon engaged in close and animated conversation. When at last the young man rose to depart, which he did apparently with much reluctance, his mother followed him into the corridor. “Where on earth, mother, did you pick up Miss Manwaring?” said he. “It’s a most extraordinary thing that I should find her here.” “Not at all extraordinary,” answered the Duchess, “considering that she has just come to reside in poor Lady Glengriskin’s apartments. She is sister to that wonderful Captain Lionel Manwaring, you know.” “Well, I never was more astonished; why, she’s the living image of her brother Wilfred; I hope I shall see her again soon. Now, mother, kiss me, and say good-night;” and then, after giving his mother a great hug, the young man was gone. “Lieutenant Sprattles was at the dingy little station to see the Duke off. By the way, Duke,” he said, “have you seen our new Beauty?” The Duke objected to this use of the possessive pronoun, but he answered calmly--“Well, I believe I have. I imagine I met her at my mother’s ten minutes ago. Do you know Miss Manwaring?” “Yes; and what did you think of her?” “I think she’s the prettiest girl I ever saw in my life,” answered the Duke, lighting his cigar, and getting into an empty first-class carriage; “but pretty’s not the word--she’s something more than that--she’s perfectly lovely. Now good-night, Sprattles, and thank you for coming to see me off.” Francis, Duke of Ribblesdale, had a very sensitive and impressionable nature, and he was much affected and delighted by his unexpected meeting with the sister of the friend he had so dearly loved, and had never ceased to regret. He was charmed, too, with the young lady herself, and as he smoked and thought, it came to pass that before he reached Waterloo, which “the slow South Western” always makes a long business, he had come to a determination, and that determination was that he would change regiments--in order to be near his mother, and in addition to this----But what the young man’s further resolve was will appear hereafter.