"Very well. You came here to find him. I suppose I can see him also. I am sure I need to see some one. I have been neglected all day; suffering, lonely,"-- "Sophia, you and I are here to look after our own affairs a little. If you are willing to help me, I shall be glad; if not"-- "You know I will help you in any thing I can, Julius." Then he kissed her, and she cried a little, and he kissed her again; and she dressed herself, and they went for a drive, and during it met Harry, and brought him back to dine with them. Julius was particularly pleasant to the unsuspicious soldier. He soon perceived that he was thoroughly disgusted with the rigor and routine of military life, and longing to free himself from its thraldom; and he encouraged him in the idea. "I wonder how you stand it, Harry," he said sympathetically. "You see, Julius, when I went into the army, I was so weary of Sandal-Side; and I liked the uniform, and the stir of an officer's life, and the admiration of the girls, and the whole _éclat_ of the thing. But when a man's time comes, and he falls so deeply in love that he cares for nothing on earth but one woman, then he hates whatever comes between himself and that woman." "Naturally so. I suppose it is the young lady I saw you walking with this morning." And Harry blushed like a girl as he gravely nodded his head. "Does she live here?" "She will for the future." "And you must go back to your regiment?" "Almost immediately." "Too bad! Too bad! Why not leave the army?" "I--I have thought of that; but unless I returned to Sandal-Side, my father would be angry beyond every thing." "Fathers cannot be autocrats--quite. You might sell out." "Julius, you ought not to suggest such a thing. The temptation has been lurking in my own heart. I am sorry you have given it a voice. It would be a shameful thing to do unless father were willing." "I have a friend anxious for a commission. I should think a thousand pounds would make an exchange." "Do not speak on the subject, Julius." "Very well. I was only supposing; a fellow-feeling, you know. I have married the girl I desired; and I am sorry for a young man who is obliged to leave a handsome mistress, and to feel that others may see her and talk to her while he cannot. It was only a supposition. Do not mind it."