uld scarcely be more respectful
to her," says the chaplain.

"Let us call her a vice-queen, parson," says the Colonel, with a twinkle
of his eye.

"Her Majesty pocketed forty of my guineas at quadrille," cries Mr.
Warrington, with a laugh.

"She will play you on the same terms another day. The Countess is fond
of play, and she wins from most people," said the Colonel, drily. "Why
don't you bet her ladyship five thousand on a bishopric, parson? I have
heard of a clergyman who made such a bet, and who lost it, and who paid
it, and who got the bishopric.

"Ah! who will lend me the five thousand? Will you, sir? asked the
chaplain.

"No, sir! I won't give her five thousand to be made Commander-in-Chief
or Pope of Rome," says the Colonel, stoutly. "I shall fling no stones
at the woman; but I shall bow no knee to her, as I see a pack of rascals
do. No offence--I don't mean you. And I don't mean Harry Warrington,
who was quite right to be civil to her, and to lose his money with
good-humour. Harry, I am come to bid thee farewell, my boy. We have had
our pleasuring--my money is run out, and we must jog back to Oakhurst.
Will you ever come and see the old place again?"

"Now, sir, now! I'll ride back with you!" cries Harry, eagerly.

"Why--no--not now," says the Colonel, in a hurried manner. "We haven't
got room--that is, we're--we're expecting some friends." ["The Lord
forgive me for the lie!" he mutters.] "But--but you'll come to us
when--when Tom's at home--yes, when Tom's at home. That will be
famous fun--and I'd have you to know, sir, that my wife and I love you
sincerely, sir--and so do the girls, however much they scold you. And if
you ever are in a scrape--and such things have happened, Mr. Chaplain!
you will please to count upon me. Mind that, sir!"

And the Colonel was for taking leave of Harry then and there, on the
spot, but the young man followed him down the stairs, and insisted upon
saying good-bye to his dear ladies.

Instead, however, of proceeding immediately to Mr. Lambert's lodging,
the two gentlemen took the direction of the common, where, looking
from Harry's windows, Mr. Sampson saw the pair in earnest conversation.
First, Lambert smiled and looked roguish. Then, presently, at a farther
stage of the talk, he flung up both his hands and performed other
gestures indicating surprise and agitation.

"The boy is telling him," thought the chaplain. When Mr. Warrington came
back in an hour, he found h