er, and the Captain entered. I also took a
ticket and followed. Passing by the open doors of a refreshment-room,
I fortified myself with some biscuits and soda-water; and in another
minute, for the first time in my life, I beheld a play. But the play did
not fascinate me. It was the middle of some jocular after piece; roars
of laughter resounded round me. I could detect nothing to laugh at,
and sending my keen eyes into every corner, I perceived at last, in the
uppermost tier, one face as saturnine as my own.--Eureka! It was the
Captain's! "Why should he go to a play if he enjoys it so little?"
thought I; "better have spent a shilling on a cab, poor old fellow!"

But soon came smart-looking men, and still smarter-looking ladies,
around the solitary corner of the poor Captain. He grew fidgety--he
rose--he vanished. I left my place, and stood without the box to watch
for him. Downstairs he stumped,--I recoiled into the shade; and
after standing a moment or two, as in doubt, he entered boldly the
refreshment-room or saloon.

Now, since I had left that saloon it had become crowded, and I slipped
in unobserved. Strange was it, grotesque yet pathetic, to mark the old
soldier in the midst of that gay swarm. He towered above all like a
Homeric hero, a head taller than the tallest; and his appearance was so
remarkable that it invited the instant attention of the fair. I, in my
simplicity, thought it was the natural tenderness of that amiable and
penetrating sex, ever quick to detect trouble and anxious to relieve it,
which induced three ladies in silk attire--one having a hat and plume,
the other two with a profusion of ringlets--to leave a little knot
of gentlemen--with whom they were conversing, and to plant themselves
before my uncle. I advanced through the press to hear what passed.

"You are looking for some one, I'm sure," quoth one familiarly, tapping
his arm with her fan.

The Captain started. "Ma'am, you are not wrong," said he.

"Can I do as well?" said one of those compassionate angels, with
heavenly sweetness.

"You are very kind, I thank you; no, no, ma'am," said the Captain with
his best bow.

"Do take a glass of negus," said another, as her friend gave way to her.
"You seem tired, and so am I. Here, this way;" and she took hold of his
arm to lead him to the table. The Captain shook his head mournfully; and
then, as if suddenly aware of the nature of the attentions so lavished
on him, he looked down upon th