"

"Nelly says that there is yet time to apologize; that the Admiral will
permit him to retract or recall what he said, and that his brother
officers say he ought--some of them at least."

"And it was this you forgot to tell me?" said she, reproachfully.

"No. It was all in my head, but along with so many things; and then I
was so badgered and bullied by the cross-examination they submitted me
to; and so anxious and uneasy, that it escaped me till now."

"Oh, George, let us do a good-natured thing; let us go over and see
Nelly; she'll have so many troubles on her heart, she 'll want a word of
advice and kindness. Let us walk over there now."

"It's past ten o'clock, Julia."

"Yes; but they 're always late at Castello."

"And raining heavily besides;--listen to that!"

"What do we care for rain? did bad weather ever keep either of us at
home when we wished to be abroad?"

"We can go to-morrow. I shall have to go to-morrow about this letter."

"But if we wait we shall lose a post. Come, George, get your coat and
hat, and I 'll be ready in an instant."

"After all, it will seem so strange in us presenting ourselves at such
an hour, and in such a trim. I don't know how we shall do it."

"Easily enough. I 'll go to Mrs. Eady the housekeeper's room, and you
'll say nothing about me, except to Nelly; and as for yourself, it will
be only a very natural anxiety on your part to learn how the Colonel is
doing. There, now, don't delay. Let us be off at once."

"I declare I think it a very mad excursion, and the only thing certain
to come of it will be a heavy cold or a fever."

"And we face the same risks every day for nothing. I'm sure wet weather
never kept you from joining the hounds."

This home-thrust about the very point on which he was then smarting
decided the matter, and he arose and left the room without a word.

"Yes," muttered he, as he mounted the stairs, "there it is! That's the
reproach I can never make head against. The moment they say, 'You were
out hunting,' I stand convicted at once."

There was little opportunity for talk as they breasted the beating
rain on their way to Castello; great sheets of water came down with a
sweeping wind, which at times compelled them to halt and seek shelter
ere they could recover breath to go on.

"What a night," muttered be. "I don't think I was ever out in a worse."

"Is n't it rare fun, George?" said she, laughingly. "It's as good as
swimming in a rough sea