e most miserable. Yes,
the most miserable: for that dreary confinement of Duquesne had its
tendernesses and kindly associations connected with it; and many a time
in after days I have thought with fondness of the poor Biche and my
tipsy jailor, and the reveille of the forest birds and the military
music of my prison.

Master Charley looks down from his box-seat upon his sister and me
engaged in beatific contemplation, and Hetty listening too, to the
music. "I think I should like to go and hear it. And that famous Mr.
Whitfield, perhaps he is going to preach this very day! Come in with me,
Charley--and George can drive for half an hour with dear Theo towards
Hampstead and back."

Charley did not seem to have any very strong desire for witnessing the
devotional exercises of good Mr. Whitfield and his congregation, and
proposed that George Warrington should take Hetty in; but Het was not
to be denied. "I will never help you in another exercise as long as you
live, sir," cries Miss Hetty, "if you don't come on,"--while the youth
clambered down from his box-seat, and they entered the temple together.

Can any moralist, bearing my previous promises in mind, excuse me for
jumping into the carriage and sitting down once more by my dearest Theo?
Suppose I did break 'em? Will he blame me much? Reverend sir, you are
welcome. I broke my promise; and if you would not do as much, good
friend, you are welcome to your virtue. Not that I for a moment suspect
my own children will ever be so bold as to think of having hearts of
their own, and bestowing them according to their liking. No, my young
people, you will let papa choose for you; be hungry when he tells
you; be thirsty when he orders; and settle your children's marriages
afterwards.

And now of course you are anxious to hear what took place when papa
jumped into the landau by the side of poor little mamma, propped up by
her pillows. "I am come to your part of the story, my dear," says I,
looking over to my wife as she is plying her needles.

"To what, pray?" says my lady. "You should skip all that part, and come
to the grand battles, and your heroic defence of----"

"Of Fort Fiddlededee in the year 1778, when I pulled off Mr.
Washington's epaulet, gouged General Gates's eye, cut off Charles Lee's
head, and pasted it on again!"

"Let us hear all about the fighting," say the boys. Even the Captain
condescends to own he will listen to any military details, though only
from a