cident;
how it had frustrated all our summer plans, and what our plans were. I
played quite a spirited solo on the fibula. Then I described you; or,
rather, I didn't. I spoke of your amiability, of your patience under
this severe affliction; of your touching gratitude when Dillon brings
you little presents of fruit; of your tenderness to your sister Fanny,
whom you would not allow to stay in town to nurse you, and how you
heroically sent her back to Newport, preferring to remain alone with
Mary, the cook, and your man Watkins, to whom, by the way, you were
devotedly attached. If you had been there, Jack, you wouldn't have known
yourself. I should have excelled as a criminal lawyer, if I had not
turned my attention to a different branch of jurisprudence.

Miss Marjorie asked all manner of leading questions concerning you. It
did not occur to me then, but it struck me forcibly afterwards, that she
evinced a singular interest in the conversation. When I got back to my
room, I recalled how eagerly she leaned forward, with her full, snowy
throat in strong moonlight, listening to what I said. Positively, I
think I made her like you!

Miss Daw is a girl whom you would like immensely, I can tell you that.
A beauty without affectation, a high and tender nature--if one can read
the soul in the face. And the old colonel is a noble character, too.

I am glad that the Daws are such pleasant people. The Pines is an
isolated spot, and my resources are few. I fear I should have found life
here somewhat monotonous before long, with no other society than that
of my excellent sire. It is true, I might have made a target of the
defenceless invalid; but I haven't a taste for artillery, moi.

VI.

JOHN FLEMMING TO EDWARD DELANEY.

August 17, 1872.

For a man who hasn't a taste for artillery, it occurs to me, my friend,
you are keeping up a pretty lively fire on my inner works. But go on.
Cynicism is a small brass field-piece that eventually bursts and kills
the artilleryman.

You may abuse me as much as you like, and I'll not complain; for I
don't know what I should do without your letters. They are curing me. I
haven't hurled anything at Watkins since last Sunday, partly because I
have grown more amiable under your teaching, and partly because Watkins
captured my ammunition one night, and carried it off to the library. He
is rapidly losing the habit he had acquired of dodging whenever I rub my
ear, or make any slight motion