r
fellow was angry, and begged me not to notice it. And so, Sophy, I have
spoiled the wedding favours, and scattered the bridesmaids! What a heavy
lesson for an impertinent note. Poor thing! why did she trust herself
with a pen? Why did she not know that the most fatal of all bottles is
the ink bottle? Precious rage old Uncle Geoffrey must be in. I'd like
to have one peep at the general discomfiture--the deserted dinner-table,
and the empty drawing-room. They deserve it all! they banished _me_,
and much good have they got of it Well, Mr. Wentworth Gordon Graham
must have his wicked way. The only difficulty will be to find what is
so absurdly misnamed as a friend. I must have a friend; I'll run up to
Milan and search the hotels: I'll surely find some one who will like the
cheap heroism of seeing another man shot at. This is the season when
all the fellows who have no money for Baden come across the Alps. I'm
certain to chance upon one to suit me."

Having despatched a short note, very politely worded to Mr. Graham, to
the post office, Basle, he ordered a carriage, and set out for Milan.

The city was in full festivity when he arrived, overjoyed at its
new-born independence, and proud of the presence of its king. The
streets were crowded with a holiday population, and from all the
balconies and windows hung costly tapestries, or gay coloured carpets,
Military music resounded on all sides, and so dense was the throng of
people and carriages, that Calvert could only proceed at a walking pace,
none feeling any especial care to make way for a dusty traveller, seated
in one of the commonest of country conveyances.

As he moved slowly and with difficulty forwards, he suddenly heard his
name called; he looked up, and saw a well known face, that of a brother
officer, who had left India on a sick leave along with himself.

"I say, old fellow!" cried Barnard, "this is your ground; draw into that
large gate to your right, and come up here."

In a few seconds, Calvert, escorted by a waiter, was shown to his
friend's apartment.

"I never dreamed of meeting you here, Calvert."

"Nor I of finding you lodged so sumptuously," said Calvert, as his
eyes ranged over the splendid room, whose massive hangings of silk,
and richly gilt ceiling, gave that air of a palace one so often sees in
Italian hotels.

"Luck, Sir, luck. I'm married, and got a pot of money with my wife."
He dropped his voice to a whisper, while, with a gesture of hi