to Kate
his utter ignorance of their station and habits.

"As a younger son myself, without the ties of fortune, I may be
permitted to doubt how far the head of a distinguished house has a
right, from any considerations of personal gratification, to reside away
from his country, Madame. I must own that my nephew's conduct in this
respect has not met my approval. I have not felt free to tell him so,
our intercourse being for so many years interrupted; but you will say as
much for me. Let him know that the great names of a nation ought not to
die out in people's memories."

"You are aware, sir," said Kate, timidly, "that papa's means are not
as they once were; circumstances of economy first suggested his coming
abroad."

"A reason that always has appeared to me insufficient," said the
other, sternly. "He could have reduced his establishment at home--fewer
hunters--less splendid banquets."

"Hunters and banquets!" sighed Kate; "how little he knows of us!"

"Here I see nothing but the best fruits of his system," said he, kissing
her hand with gallantry; "no cost could be accounted too much that
aided the attainment of such perfection. I am too old a courtier not
to distinguish between mere native gracefulness and that more polished
elegance which comes of refined intercourse. My niece is worthy to be a
princess! But your brother--"

"Oh! what of dear Frank?" cried she, eagerly.

"Simply this, Madame: habits of wasteful expenditure have unsuited him
to the stern realities of a soldier's life. With his fortune and his
tastes, he should have sought service among those popinjays that English
tailors make lancers or hussars of. He might have won the laurels
that are gathered on Honnslow or St. James's Park; he might have been
distinguished in that barbaric warfare you call an Indian campaign; but
here, in this empire, where soldiering means discipline, self-denial,
hardship, endurance!--I was eight years a cadet, Madame, twelve a
sous-lieutenant. I saw the decoration I should have received given to
another. The Dienst Kreutz I had won was refused me, because I had not
served twenty years; and yet, by accepting these and hundreds like them
as the inevitable necessities of the service, I am what now you see me."

"And if Frank will be but patient--"

"He may be a corporal within a year, Madame," said the Feld, gravely,
and with the air of a man who had advanced a somewhat bold pledge.

"But he must be an officer withi