"I wonder whether you will return to Manchester when the campaign is over, Captain Legh?" she inquired, looking rather languishingly at him as she spoke. "Does Miss Byrom care to see me again?" he asked. "If so, I shall make a point of coming back, supposing I am able to do so." "You pay me a great compliment," she remarked. "But surely, I am not the only person you desire to see again? You must have many dear friends?" "I have none," he replied, rather gloomily. "You know I am quite alone in the world. If I fall in this expedition, not a tear will be shed for me." "There you are mistaken," she rejoined, in a sympathetic tone. "But you speak rather bitterly. I fear you have been badly treated." "No, I have no right to complain. I am only paying the penalty of my folly. I have been deluded by false hopes; but I shall try to act more sensibly in future." "An excellent resolution, and I trust you will keep to it. Never fall in love again--if you can help it. That's my advice." "But you don't expect me to follow it?" "I have no influence over you, and cannot therefore expect you to be guided by my counsels. But I repeat--don't fall in love again." "The warning comes too late," he said. "I must make a desperate effort, or I shall be caught in fresh toils." "Well, the effort can be easily made, since you are going away." "But I shall carry the remembrance with me. I shall not forget our present conversation, and if I return I will remind you of it." "I have very little faith in the promise. By that time you will probably have changed your mind." "You must entertain a very poor opinion of me, Miss Byrom, if you really think so." "I don't imagine you differ from the rest of your sex. Men are proverbially inconstant. 'Out of sight, out of mind,' you know." "On my return you will find me unchanged," he said. So engrossed was Atherton by the young lady near him, that he had not noticed the entrance of Constance, with Jemmy Dawson and Monica. But chancing to look up at the moment, he perceived her standing at a little distance, with her large eyes fixed upon him. The expression of her countenance showed that she had overheard what had passed between him and Miss Byrom. With a disdainful glance, she moved away with her father. Atherton was quite confounded, and for a moment could not speak, but at length he stammered: "Do you see who is in the room?" "Miss Rawcliffe you mean," replied Beppy. "Yes, I saw her come in. I did not tell you, because I fancied you had no longer any interest in her. But I begin to think you have not so completely shaken off your fetters as you imagined. If all is at an end, why should her presence trouble you?" "I am not quite master of my feelings," he rejoined. "So I perceive," said Beppy. She then added, in a good-natured tone: "Well, we have stayed here long enough. Let us go." Much relieved by the proposal, the young man instantly arose, and offering her his arm, prepared to quit the room.