War was not yet declared, and, with a proper course of treatment from Great Britain, it would not have been; yet the war feeling of 1811 was strong. It needed but a breath to fan the flame to a terrible conflagration. CHAPTER VII. FERNANDO'S FRIEND GETS HIM INTO A SERIOUS SCRAPE. In due time Fernando and Sukey were entered in the college. They were transferred to more comfortable quarters than the wretched inn of Mrs. Mahone. Terrence superintended everything and was, in truth, the good angel of the boys. He had a warm heart, was a genuine friend, and would have shed his last drop of blood for them; but Terrence was, after all, a young scamp, whose dearest friend was not free from a practical joke. His jokes often became serious affairs and involved himself as well as friends in trouble, though he never intended anything unpleasant. Fernando had been in college but a few months, and was already making excellent progress, when one day Terrence came to his room and said: "Me frind, d'ye want to see a bit of good society?" Laying down a heavy mathematical work, Fernando smilingly answered: "I don't know, Terrence; I've hardly time for society." "What's the need of worryin' yer brains out over Latin, Greek and astronomy, when there's my amount of fun to be had? Come; a little mite of society will brighten up yer ideas. Now listen to me, lad. There's goin' to be a big ball given at the mayor's, and d'ye remimber the darlint little craythur ye met on the street that day?" Remember her? of course Fernando remembered her. She had scarcely been out of his mind day or night since he had seen her. She had been the angel of his dreams, the princess of countless air castles; but he had never indulged a hope that he might see her again. "Will she be at the ball, Terrence?" "To be sure. It's mesilf as heard it, and thin if ye'll look over the Baltimore papers, ye'll see her name Morgianna Lane, the daughter of Captain Felix Lane of Mariana, whose entree into society is to be the ninth, chaperoned by Madame Barnhart." Terrence Malone evinced a wonderful ability at picking up information on any question that took his fancy. He had a bold way of insinuating himself into people's affections, for no one could dislike the light-hearted, merry Irishman. "Now there is no need for ye to say ye won't go, because ye will," said Terrence. "It's a grand occasion to be sure. One of his majesty's ships o' war is in port, and some of the officers from her will be there, every alderman in the town, some congressmen and ex-President Jefferson will be there." Fernando looked at him in amazement and, after a moment, he said: "Terrence, if the ball is to be such a grand affair, please to inform me how we are to gain admission." "Now, me boy, lave that to me. Will ye go?" "Yes." "And ye don't mind it if it's a thrifle of an adventure, do yez?" "No."