pass this way."

"Oh dear! where's Captain O'Grady?--sure it's not possible I could be
treated this way. Paul, take that man's name, and mind you have him
dismissed in the morning. Where are you, Paul? Ah! he's gone. It is the
way with him always; and there you sit, Bob Dwyer, and you are no more
good than a stick of sealing-wax!" Here a suppressed titter of laughter
from the back of the carriage induced me to turn my eyes in that
direction, and I beheld one of the most beautiful girls I ever looked
at, holding her handkerchief to her month to conceal her laughter. Her
dark eyes flashed, and her features sparkled, while a blush, at being so
discovered, if possible, added to her beauty.

"All right," said I to myself, as taking off my hat I bowed to the very
mane of my horse.

"If your Ladyship will kindly permit me," said I, "his Grace has sent me
to show you the way."

The dragoons fell back as I spoke; the horse police looked awfully
frightened; while the lady whose late eloquence manifested little of
fear or trepidation, threw herself back in the carriage, and, covering
her face with a handkerchief, sobbed violently.

"Ah, the Duchess said she was nervous. Poor Lady Kil----"

"Speak to me, Louisa dear. Who is it? Is it Mr. Wellesley Pole? Is
it----"

I did not wait for a further supposition, but in a most insinuating
voice, added,

"Mr. Hinton, my lady, extra aide-de-camp on his Excellency's staff. The
Duchess feared you would be nervous, and hopes you'll get as close to
her as possible."

"Where's Paul?" said the lady, once more recovering her animation. "If
this is a hoax, young gentleman----"

"Madam," said I, bowing stiffly, "I am really at a loss to understand
your meaning."

"Oh, forgive me, Mr. Hilton."

"Hinton, my Lady."

"Yes, Hinton," said she. "I am a beast to mistrust you, and you so young
and so artless; the sweetest blue eyes I ever looked at."

This was said in a whisper to her young friend, whose mirth now
threatened to burst forth.

"And was it really his Royal Highness that sent you?"

"His Grace, my lady, I assure you, despatched me to your aid. He saw
your carriage through his glass, and, guessing what had occurred,
directed me to ride over and accompany your Ladyship to the viceregal
stand."

Poor Lady Kil----'s nervousness again seized her, and, with a faint cry
for the ever-absent Paul, she went off into rather smart hysterics.
During this paroxysm I could not help feel