artedness--I 'll not say levity--bad in morals, because it may
be bad in taste. There's a lesson for you, sir." And she held out her
hand as if in reconciliation.

"But you have n't answered my question, Julia," said he, tremulously.

"And what was your question?"

"I asked you if the past--if all that had taken place between us--was to
be now forgotten?"

"I declare here is George," said she, bounding towards the window and
opening it. "What a splendid fish, George! Did you take it yourself?"

"Yes, and he cost me the top joint of my rod; and I'd have lost him
after all if Lafferty had not waded out and landed him. I 'm between two
minds, Julia, whether I 'll send him up to the Bramleighs."

She put her finger to her lip to impose caution, and said, "The
admiral,"--the nickname by which Jack was known--"is here."

"All right," replied L'Estrange. "We'll try and keep him for dinner,
and eat the fish at home." He entered as he spoke. "Where 's Jack. Did
n't you say he was here?"

"So he was when I spoke. He must have slipped away without my seeing
it. He is really gone."

"I hear he is gazetted; appointed to some ship on a foreign station. Did
he tell you of it?"

"Not a word. Indeed, he had little time, for we did nothing but squabble
since he came in."

"It was Harding told me. He said that Jack did not seem overjoyed at
his good luck; and declared that he was not quite sure he would accept
it."

"Indeed," said she, thoughtfully.

"That's not the only news. Colonel Bramleigh was summoned to town by
a telegram this morning, but what about I did n't hear. If Harding
knew--and I 'm not sure that he did--he was too discreet to tell. But I
am not at the end of my tidings. It seems they have discovered coal on
Lord Culduff's estate, and a great share company is going to be formed,
and untold wealth to be distributed amongst the subscribers."

"I wonder why Jack did not tell me he was going away?" said she.

"Perhaps he does not intend to go; perhaps the Colonel has gone up to
try and get something better for him; perhaps--"

"Any perhaps will do, George," said she, like one willing to change the
theme. "What do you say to my decorations? Have you no compliments to
make me on my exquisite taste?"

"Harding certainly thinks well of it," said he, not heeding her
question.

"Thinks well of what, George?"

"He's a shrewd fellow," continued he; "and if he deems the investment
good enough to venture his own