re staying at
Kew--"

"Yes, at Judge Selwyn's. By the way," I added, a little mischievously,
I confess, "allow me to make known to one another, Mrs Charles Selwyn,
_once_ Caroline Stanhope, and Colonel Jervis."

Jervis bowed low, but his cheek and brow burned a little, and he looked
sharply at me out of the corner of his eye; but I preserved such a
demure face, that he did not quite know whether I was _au fait_ or not.

Caroline, to do her justice, behaved exceedingly well. Her character,
indeed, which had been quite unformed before her marriage, had gained
solidity, and her mind, judgment as well as tone, since her introduction
to a family so superior as that of the Selwyns. And she now neither
blushed nor tittered, nor, indeed, showed any signs of consciousness,
although she gave me a sly pinch, while she was inquiring in her
sweetest voice and serenest manner after Adele, whom she said she had
always loved very much, and longed to see her sincerely in her new
station, which she was so admirably qualified to fill. "I hear she was
vastly admired in Paris, Colonel; and no wonder, for I really think she
was the very prettiest creature I ever saw in my life. You are a
fortunate man, Colonel Jervis."

"I am, indeed," said he, laughing. "Adele is a very good little
creature, and the people were so good-natured as to be very civil to her
in Paris, especially your friend Madame d'Albret, Mademoiselle de
Chatenoeuf. Nothing could exceed her attentions to us. We are very
much indebted to you for her acquaintance. By the way, Adele has no end
of letters, and presents of all sorts for you from her. When can you
come and see Adele?"

"Where are you staying, Colonel Jervis?"

"At Thomas's Hotel, in Berkeley Square, at present, until we can find a
furnished house for the season. In August we are going down to a little
cottage of mine, in the Highlands. And I believe Adele has some plan
for inducing you to come down and bear her company, while I am
slaughtering grouse and black cock."

"Thanks, Colonel, both to you and Adele. But I do not know how that
will be. August is two whole months distant yet, and one never knows
what may happen in the course of two months. Do you know I was half
thinking of paying a visit to France myself, when my brother who is on a
visit to me now, returns to join his regiment."

"Were you, indeed?" asked de Chavannes, more earnestly than the subject
seemed to warrant. "I had not h