Morning parade over, in obedience to Colonel Beverley’s order, I was putting the troop through a course of sword and lance exercise personally, and was so earnestly engaged in the work of the moment, that I did not perceive a dashing phaeton, drawn by a pair of spanking grey ponies, attended by an outrider in livery, on a showy bay horse, that entered the barrack-yard, and drew up close by, as if its occupants wished to observe the progress of the drill. After the lapse of a few minutes, Troop Sergeant-Major Stapylton trotted his horse forward, and said— "Beg pardon, Captain Norcliff, but some friends of yours are waiting for you, sir." Turning in my saddle, how great was my surprise to see Lady Louisa and Cora in the phaeton, which was driven by Berkeley, who was attired in a very accurate suit of forenoon mufti. Dismounting, I sheathed my sword, threw my reins to Stapylton, and saying to my lieutenant, Jocelyn— "Frank, like a good fellow, finish off this piece of drill for me, please," advanced at once to greet my fair friends, whose visit, I felt, was due to Cora. "How interesting this is!" said Lady Louisa, presenting her carefully-gloved little hand, with a brilliant smile, as she proceeded to imitate my last order, "Prepare to dismount! one; the lance to be raised out of the bucket, by the right hand sliding down to the extent of the arm; two—ah, I forget two; you are quite an enthusiast." Under this banter I detected, or thought so, a deep glance of anxiety and hidden meaning, more especially as she added, "You evidently think more of this drill-sergeant’s work than of me." My heart was so filled with sudden joy that I knew not what I said; but I kissed Cora’s hand to conceal my confusion. "And what of good Sir Nigel, Cora?" I asked. "Papa comes to England to see you go away, and to take me home," replied my cousin, in a calm voice; "home to Calderwood, when all is over." "All is over?" "I mean when the army departs." "And you are on leave, I perceive, Berkeley?" "Aw—haw—yes, for a day or so. Doocid bore the work at Maidstone," he drawled out. I was obliged as yet to dissemble, though there was an ill-concealed air of smiling triumph about my comrade that gave me considerable uneasiness. "And now, sir, what have you to say for yourself?" said Lady Louisa, tapping me on the epaulette with her parasol, and speaking with an air of mock severity. "So the rules of society are to be inverted to suit your lancer tastes; the ladies are to wait upon the gentlemen? Quartered actually in Canterbury, and yet you never came near us." "Lady Louisa," I was beginning, yet not knowing what to say, as I could never imagine that she doubted the reason of my non-appearance at Chillingham. "What am I to think of it?" she continued, smiling. Berkeley laughed. I believe the fellow thought we were on the eve of a coolness. "Remember my constitutional timidity," I urged. "Timidity in a captain of lancers!" she exclaimed, laughing.