“Why Meddlicot told that as his own at supper,” said Sir Marmaduke. “So he did, sir; but I cautioned him that a license for wholesale does not permit the retail even of jokes. Isn't the worthy sheriff a druggist? But what have we here--all manner of changes on the staff--Lord Sellbridge to join his regiment at Hounslow, vice, Captain------your brother, Sybella--Captain Frederick Travers”--and she reddened slightly at the words. “I did not know he was appointed aid-decamp to the Viceroy.” “Nor did I, my dear,” said Sir Marmaduke. “I knew, he was most anxious to make the exchange with Lord Sellbridge; but this is the first I have heard of the success of his negociation.” “You see, Kate,” said Sybella, while a sly glance shot beneath her long-lashed lids, “that even Fred has become a partizan of Ireland.” “Perhaps the prospect of the revolt he hinted at,” replied Kate, with an air of scornful pride, “has made the Guardsman prefer this country for the moment.” “I incline to a very different reason,” said Sybella, but in a voice so subdued as to be only audible to Kate herself, who again blushed deeply, and seemed greatly confused. “Ha! here it is,” said Sir Marmaduke, reading aloud a long paragraph from a morning paper, which, descanting on the abortiveness of any effort to destroy the peace of the realm, by enemies without or within its frontiers, concluded with a glowing panegyric on the blessings of the British constitution. “'The government, while confiding implicitly on the loyalty and bravery of his Majesty's people, have yet neglected no measures of precaution against the insane and rash attempts of our 'natural enemies,' whose temerity is certain of again receiving the same severe lesson which every attempt upon our shores has taught them.' Yes--yes--very prompt and active measures, nothing could be better,” muttered he to himself. “'May I ask what they consist in--these precautionary movements?” said Kate. “A full organization of the militia and yeomanry,” replied Sir Marmaduke, proudly, for he commanded a regiment of 'Northamptonshire fencibles.' “Strengthening the different garrisons in large towns-mounting guns of heavy calibre on the forts--” A hearty burst of laughter broke from Kate, which she made no effort to control whatever. “I cannot help laughing, because that same word recalls a conversation I once heard between two French officers in Bruges; one of them who seemed to know Ireland well, averred that these forts were so placed as only to be capable of battering down each other. I know he instanced two on the southern coast, which in three discharges must inevitably make a drawn battle of it.” “My dear young lady,” said Sir Marmaduke, with an unusual gravity, “it is not exactly to our enemies we must look for any warm encomium on our means of defence, nor has experience yet shown, that British courage can be justly a subject for a Frenchman's laughter.”