, when a friend of my father's got me a commission;
but that six months cured me of my shyness."

"I am not surprised," Desmond laughed; "it can only have been skin
deep, I fancy, O'Connor."

"I will give Conway his first lesson to-night," the captain said.

Dancing had already begun when Captain O'Connor and Ralph drove up in
a dog-cart to the Regans', who lived some four miles from Ballyporrit.
O'Connor introduced Ralph to his host, and then hurried away. In a
short time he was deep in conversation with Miss Tabitha Regan, who
was some years younger than her brother, and still believed herself to
be quite a girl. She was gorgeously arrayed with a plume of nodding
feathers in her headdress.

"You are looking splendid to-night, Miss Regan," O'Connor said in a
tone of deep admiration. "You do not give your nieces a chance."

"Ah! you are flattering me, Captain O'Connor."

"Not at all, Miss Regan; it's quite a sensation you make. My young
friend Conway was tremendously struck with your appearance, and asked
me who that splendid woman was." Which was true enough, except for the
word "splendid;" for as they had walked through the room Ralph's eyes
had fallen upon her, and he had exclaimed in astonishment, "Who on
earth is that woman, O'Connor?"

"He is dying to be introduced to you. He is a little young, you know;
but of good family, and may come into a lot of money one of these
days. Only son, and all that. May I introduce him?"

"How you do go on, Captain O'Connor," Miss Tabitha said, much
flattered. "By all means introduce him."

O'Connor made his way back to Ralph.

"Come along, Ralph; I will introduce you to our host's sister, Miss
Regan. Charming creature, and lots of money. Awfully struck with your
appearance. Come on, man; don't be foolish," and, hooking his arm in
Ralph's, he led him across the room to the lady Ralph had before
noticed.

"Miss Regan, this is my brother-officer, Mr. Conway, Ralph, this is
Miss Regan, our host's sister, although you would take her for his
daughter. Miss Regan, Mr. Conway is most anxious to have the pleasure
of the next dance with you if you are not engaged."

Ralph murmured something in confirmation, and Miss Regan at once stood
up and placed her hand in his arm. Ralph gave a reproachful glance at
his captain as he moved away. Fortunately, he was not called upon to
say much, for Miss Regan burst out:

"It is too bad of you not having been here before, Mr. Conway--quit