"Of not enjoying the dance to which I had invited her, and of saving her from sitting still for want of a partner--all owing to my unofficer-like conduct in neglecting to claim her hand. I begin to perceive that I want some more practice in ball behaviour. I thank you again for your humane kindness to the young lady, which, I hope, will turn aside her anger from me." "Oh, yes!" said Harriet, almost afraid to speak lest she should laugh. "Will you favour me with your name, sir?" pursued the major. Mr. Thomson gave it, much amused at the turn that things had taken. The major, after admiring the name, said he should always remember it with esteem, and regretted that his having to set out for Plattsburgh early on the following morning would, for the present, prevent their farther acquaintance. He then made sundry other acknowledgments to Harriet for all the honours she had done him that evening, including her forgiveness of his "letting her dance without him,"--bowed to Caroline, who had just approached with Mr. Harford; and, going up to Miss Clements, he thanked her for her conversation, and finally took his departure. The girls did not laugh till he was entirely out of the room, though Harriet remarked that he walked edgeways, which she had not observed when he was first brought up to her; her fancy being then excited, and her perception blinded by the glitter of his two epaulets. "Well, Miss Darnel," said Mr. Wilson, who had just joined them, "how do you like your field-officer?" "Need you ask me?" replied Harriet. "In future I shall hate the sight of two silver epaulets." "And I of one gold one," added Caroline. "I will not trust you," said Mr. Thomson, with a smile. "We shall see," said Mr. Wilson. "Well, young ladies," observed Miss Clements, "you may at least deduce one moral from the events of the evening. You find that it _is_ possible for officers to be extremely annoying, and to deport themselves in a manner that you would consider intolerable in citizens." "It is intolerable in _them_, aunt," replied Harriet, "particularly when they are stiff and ungainly in all their movements, and dance shockingly." "And if they are conceited, and prating, and ungenteel," added Caroline. "Awkward in their expressions, and dull in their ideas," pursued Harriet. "Talking ridiculously and behaving worse," continued Caroline. "Come, come," said Sophia Clements, "candour must compel us to acknowledge that these two gentlemen are anything but fair specimens of their profession, which I am very sure can boast a large majority of intelligent, polished, and accomplished men." "Be that as it may," replied Harriet, "I confess that my delight in the show and parade of war, and my admiration of officers, has received a severe shock to-night. 'My thoughts, I must confess, are turned on peace.'"