Worcester began to practise on the spot, and being in all things a most excellent mimic, particularly when he took off Lord Charles Somerset, or his lordship's brother, whom he always called Cherry-ripe John; why, I know not, for the man is as pale as a ghost. On the following day, Worcester limped famously, although he had nearly betrayed himself by finding the proper use of his legs from very _ennui_, when he was, for the third time, addressed by Sergeant Whitaker on the Steyne "respecting of his private consarn." "How am I to inquire the character of your sweetheart, for God's sake?" Worcester asked the sergeant, with much ill-humour. "Why, my lord," answered the man, "you will please to inquire of Dr. Tierney, as she has been living in his family, as cook, my lord." Lord Worcester immediately paid a visit to the doctor, from whom he learned that the young woman was clean, honest and trustworthy. "Sir," said Lord Worcester, as soon as he could find Colonel Quintin, "I have inquired the character of the young woman, and she is very good, sir." "Good! for what, pray?" asked the colonel, forgetting all about Sergeant Whitaker's little private consarn. "Oh, sir," continued Worcester, almost ready to laugh, yet, in some confusion, "she is good, sir, I believe, for everything; at least Doctor Tierney says she is a very steady, clean woman." "And vat sal I do vid dis clean voman vat you talk to me about?" asked the colonel impatiently. "Oh, sir, you are not to do anything with her; only you desired me to inquire the character of the young woman Sergeant Whitaker wishes to marry." "Ah true--reight--vel--veri vel, I have no objecshuns; only tell him he is von grate fool to his pains." Away galloped Worcester quite delighted to get rid of the sergeant's "little private consarn." "My lord, I wants very bad to be married," said Sergeant Whitaker once more, a few days after Worcester had obtained the colonel's permission. "Colonel Quintin has no objection," answered Worcester, and the sergeant respectfully begged leave to return his lordship ten thousand thanks. "But the colonel says you are a great fool, for your pains," added Worcester. "That is no odds, my lord," replied Whitaker, as he saluted Lord Worcester, and then hastened back to his fair one, in order to acquaint her that his little private affair was arranged, and just as it should be. * * * * * _On s'ennui de tout!_ In the course of time, I grew tired of this _tête-à-tête_, particularly as Worcester showed symptoms of sulky displeasure, whenever any of the officers wanted to join us in our rides. On two occasions he was furious! Once was when Colonel Palmer kindly assisted me off my horse; another, when he learned that I had sent a little note to that gentleman about borrowing a book, or some such trifle. Finding that this circumstance weighed on his mind, in spite of all I could say or do, I despatched a second note to this effect: