"The English are very polite to us here; and some of the young ladies are charming," observed Dubois. "There is one family especially polite,--that of a Monsieur Talboys. Ah! _ma foi_! his little daughter is perfectly charming." On hearing the name of Talboys, Tom Pim pricked up his ears and looked at me, for he was not able to understand all that was said. "We are acquainted with Mr Talboys," I observed, "and all must admire his daughter. Is she not engaged to be married yet?" "Ah, yes, there's the pity," said Dubois, shrugging his shoulders; "to a military officer, I'm told,--the Capitaine Duffy. He has lately obtained his promotion, and appeared at a ball in a bright new uniform, which completely captivated the young lady's heart." "I'll not believe it until I see her, and she tells me so," exclaimed Tom, starting up. "You must have been misinformed, monsieur." "_Ma foi_! I hope so," said Dubois; "for I thought I was making great way, and resolved, if her father would accept me as his son-in-law, to give up the sea and settle down as a planter in Jamaica." On hearing this Tom became very fidgety, and proposed that we should go in search of our friends. As I was afraid that he might say something which might annoy our hosts, I agreed, and, wishing them good-bye, Tom and I started for Mr Talboys' town house. We had no great difficulty in finding it. Just as we reached the entrance, who should I see but Duffy himself, strutting out in a captain's uniform. He didn't know me at first, until I hailed him. "What, Duffy!" I exclaimed. "It must be yourself or your elder brother. Let me congratulate you on obtaining your captain's commission. You have faster promotion in your service than we have in the navy." "Ah, Paddy! is it you?" he cried, taking me by the hand. "It's myself, I can assure you. Thanks to this torrid climate, sangaree, and Yellow Jack, you're right, my boy. All the fine fellows you knew at Savannah are invalided home, or are under the sod; but as I eschew strong drinks, and keep in the shade as much as I can, I have hitherto escaped the fell foe. I suppose you're going to call on my friends the Talboys? They will be very glad to see you. We often talk about you, for the gallant way in which you, Pim, and your other messmates behaved when the house was attacked." "Here is Pim," I said. "What! I beg your pardon," said he; "I really did not recognise you;" and he put out his hand, which Tom took rather coldly. "We all owe you a debt of gratitude which none of us know how to repay." "I don't require payment," said Tom, drawing himself up stiffly. "Good morning, Captain Duffy! I don't wish to detain you." "Well, as I have to go on guard, I mustn't stop, or I should like to go back and join Lucy in thanking you." "I don't require thanks," said Tom, gulping down his rising anger. "Come along, Paddy."