"What nonsense!" Ralph exclaimed indignantly. "The idea of my taking a wife. You mustn't believe what Captain O'Connor says, Miss Regan; except, of course," he added slyly, "when he is saying pretty things to you." "I think you will do, Mr. Conway," the girl laughed, "Six months in Ireland and you will be able to give Captain O'Connor points if you go on as well as you are doing. You have paid two very nicely-turned compliments in ten minutes. But there, our dance is finished." "May I have another later on, Miss Regan?" "Yes. Let me see; I am engaged for the next five. You can have the sixth if you like, if you haven't secured my aunt for that." "You are getting on, Conway," Captain O'Connor said as they drove away from the Regans. "I have had my eye upon you. Three dances with Polly Regan, beside taking her down to supper." "It was too bad of you putting me on to her aunt in that way." O'Connor laughed. "It was a capital thing for you, youngster, and paved the way for you with Polly; who, by the way, is not such a respectful niece as she might be. But she is a very nice little girl. I had thought of making up in that quarter myself, but I see it's no use now." "None at all," Ralph said seriously. "We are not actually engaged, you, know, but I think we understand each other." "What!" Captain O'Connor exclaimed in a changed voice. "You are not such a young ass as to get engaged before you have joined three months?" Ralph burst into a laugh. "That's good," he said. "It is not often I get a rise out of you, O'Connor." "Well, you did there fairly," the captain admitted, joining in the laugh. "I thought for a moment you were serious." "No," Ralph said. "I may make a fool of myself in other directions; but I don't think I am likely to in that sort of way." "Prior attachment--eh?" Captain O'Connor asked quizzically. "Ah, that's a secret, O'Connor," Ralph laughed. "I am not going to lay my heart bare to such a mocker as you are." When they reached the village they found a body of twenty men drawn up opposite their quarters. "Is that you, O'Connor?" the lieutenant asked as the trap stopped. "Just after you had gone the gauger came in and requested that a party might accompany him at three o'clock this morning to hunt up a still among the hills. I am glad you are back in time, as I did not like going away without there being any one in charge here. It's a nuisance; for it is just beginning to rain. However, it can't be helped." "I will go if you like Desmond," Ralph said, jumping down. "I should like a good tramp this morning after that hot room." "Are you quite sure you would like it?" the lieutenant asked. "Quite sure. Beside, it's my turn for duty this morning; so that really it's my place to go with them, if Captain O'Connor has no objection." "Not the least in the world, Conway. I don't suppose Desmond has any fancy for tramping among the hills, and if you have, there is no reason in the world why you should not go."