Unfortunately, however, a shell at that instant screamed over the ruin; the young girl raised her head with simple curiosity--not a particle of fear evidently--to watch the course of the missile; and, as the youth executed the like manoeuvre, they both became aware of my presence at the same moment. The result was, that a hearty laugh echoed among the tombstones; and that the youth and maiden rose, hastening rapidly toward me. An instant afterward I was pressing the hand of Katy Dare, whom I had left near Buckland, and that of Tom Herbert, whom I had not seen since the fatal day of Yellow Tavern. V. LES FORTUNÉS. The auburn ringlets of Katy Dare were as glossy as ever; her blue eyes had still the charming archness which had made me love her from the first. Indeed her demeanor toward me had been full of such winning sweetness that it made me her captive; and I now pressed the little hand, and looked into the pretty blushing face with the sentiment which I should have experienced toward some favorite niece. Katy made you feel thus by her artless and warm-hearted smile. How refrain from loving one whose blue eyes laughed like her lips, and whose glances said, “I am happier since you came!” And Tom was equally friendly; his face radiant, his appearance distinguished. He was clad in a new uniform, half covered with gold braid. His hat was decorated with a magnificent black plume. His cavalry boots, reaching to the knee, were small, delicate, and of the finest leather. At a moderate estimation, Tom’s costume must have cost him three thousand dollars!--Happy Tom! He grasped my hand with a warmth which evidently came straight from the heart; for he had a heart--that dandy! “Hurrah! old fellow; here you are!” Tom cried, laughing. “You came upon us as suddenly as if you had descended from heaven!” “Whither you would like to send me back! Am I wrong, Tom?” And I shot a glance of ancient and paternal affection at these two young things, whose _tete-à-tete_ I had interrupted. Katy blushed beautifully, and then ended by laughing. Tom caressed his slender mustache, and said:--- “My dear fellow, I certainly should like to go to heaven--consequently to send my friends there--but if it is all the same to everybody, I think I would prefer--hem!--deferring the journey for a brief period, my boy.” “Until an angel is ready to go with you!” And I glanced at the angel with the ringlets. “Ah, my dear Surry!” said Tom, smoothing his chin with his hand, “you really have a genius for repartee which is intolerable, and not to be endured!” “Let the angel sit in judgment!” “Oh, you have most ‘damnable iteration!’” “I learned it all from you.” “From me, my boy?” “Certainly--see the beauty of repetition in poetry.” And looking at the damsel, I began to repeat-- “Katy! Katy! Don’t marry any other! You’ll break my heart, and kill me dead, And then be hanged for murder!”