"Madam," said he, "will you have the goodness to accept my most obliged thanks for the two honours you are doing me; first, in desiring the acquaintance of so unworthy an object, and secondly, madam, in agreeing to dance with me? I have never been so much favoured by so fine a young lady." Harriet looked reproachfully at Mr. Wilson for having betrayed to Major Steifenbiegen her wish for the introduction; but Wilson afterwards took an opportunity of making her understand that she had nothing to fear; the field-officer being entirely guiltless of the sin of vanity--as far, at least, as regarded the ladies. In a few minutes a fair-haired, slovenly, but rather a handsome young man, in a citizen's old brown surtout, with an epaulet on his left shoulder, came up to Major Steifenbiegen, and slapping him on the back, said, "Well, here I am, just from Washington. I've got a commission,--you see, I've mounted my epaulet,--and the tailor is making my uniform. Who's that pretty girl you're going to dance with?" he added, in a loud whisper. "Miss Darnel," replied the major, drawing him aside, and speaking in a tone quite different from that in which he thought proper to address the ladies. "Is that her sister beside her--the one that's dressed exactly the same?" "I presume so." "You know it is--she's the prettiest of the two. So introduce me, and I declare I'll take her out." "I don't see how you can dance in that long surtout," observed the major. "Just as well as you can in those long jack-boots." "But I'm in full uniform," said the major, "and your dress is neither one thing nor t'other." "No matter for that," replied the youth, "I'm old Virginia, and am above caring about my dress. Haven't I my epaulet on my shoulder, to let everybody know I'm an officer?--and that's enough. Show me the girl that wouldn't be willing, any minute, to 'pack up her tatters and follow the drum.'" Major Steifenbiegen then introduced to the ladies Lieutenant Tinsley, who requested Miss Caroline Darnel's hand for the next dance. Caroline, consoling herself with the idea that _her_ officer, though in an old brown surtout and dingy Jefferson shoes, was younger and handsomer than Harriet's major, allowed him, as he expressed it, to carry her to the dance,--which, he did by tucking her hand under his arm, and walking very fast; informing her, at the same time, that he was old Virginia. Major Steifenbiegen respectfully took the tips of Harriet's fingers, saying, "Madam, I am highly obligated to you for allowing me the privilege of leading you by the hand to the dance: I consider it a third honour." "Then you are three by honours," said Tinsley. Miss Clements, who was too much fatigued by six sets of cotillions to undertake the "never-ending, still-beginning country-dance," remained in her seat, talking to her last partner, and regarding at a distance the proceedings of her two nieces and their military beaux.