And, patient, count over their scars;
Venus' dimples, assuming the charmer,
Shall smooth the rough furrows of Mars."
DIBDIN.

General Grant Mackenzie was lounging at breakfast one morning in his
private rooms in the big barn-like barracks of C----. At his right hand
sat one of his captains, with whom he was talking--languidly enough, it
must be confessed.

"You are right, Moore. By Jove, you're right; and to-day I send in my
resignation. Here have we been lying waiting the French for more than a
year, and the rascals won't show front. No; I shall go in for club life
in London now."

"We'll miss you, general."

"Ah, Moore, it is good of you to say so; but what _can_ a fellow do?
When I rejoined the service, I expected to see some fighting.
Disappointed. And now I'm parted from my daughter, and lying in this old
barn positively getting mouldy. Besides--"

"Some one to see you, sir," said the servant.

"Why, Richards, my dear old boy, who could have expected to see you?
Nothing wrong, I hope?"

"No, everything right--more than right. Prepare to hear news that--"

He glanced at the captain.

"My friend Captain Moore. No secrets from him--knows
everything.--Captain Moore, Mr. Richards, my family lawyer, and, bar
yourself, the best fellow in existence."

Richards bowed.

"Well, Jack's come. Had terrible fighting. I hurried over to tell you."

"But not for that alone?"

"Nay, friend. Now sit down, or catch hold of something. I'm going to
startle you. Your old uncle is dead."

"What, the man that disinherited me?"

"The same; only--you are heir to Glen Pollok. It is all yours--a cool
L10,000 a year."

The general could not speak for a moment; then he grasped the kindly old
solicitor's hand once more, and with tears in his eyes.

"God in heaven bless you, Richards," he exclaimed, "and his name be
praised. Poor Jack and dear Flo, they will not now be beggars!"

"And, Richards," he added, "Flora shall be wedded with all the pomp and
glory due to a daughter of the proud house of Grant Mackenzie."

"Ah!" laughed Richards, "there is the old reckless Celtic blood
asserting itself again. Don't forget, my friend, that even L10,000 a
year can be spent, and that right easily too."

"I won't, I won't; you shall be my guide."

"And then, you see," continued Richards, "there is the mortgage to pay
off on Grantley Hall."

"Grantley Hall! why, isn't that sold