cle and mount on
horseback. At first the country was very uninteresting, but by degrees
it improved, and rich undulating ground and hills and fertile valleys,
here and there dotted with cottages and flocks and herds, were seen on
every side. As we proceeded, men in half-military uniform, working in
the fields, would look up and inquire whence we came and where we were
going, but they were easily satisfied with the civil answers we gave
them.

It was late in the day before we drove into the courtyard of a house
very similar in character to that we had lately left. We were not
expected, but a note from Mr Plowden explained matters, and we were
cordially received by the ladies of the family. The master was with the
army, so were his sons. One had already fallen in the unfortunate
strife. I at first was received with some stiffness. I could not
expect it to be otherwise; but that soon wore off, and I felt myself as
one of the family. I must not delay in describing each event of our
journey.

A truly Indian summer morning ushered in the next day. In high spirits
Miss Carlyon mounted her horse, as did her aunt, and with kind
well-wishes from our late hosts we trotted out of the courtyard. They
felt great relief from the noise and jolting of the old coach. The old
black coachman gazed after us with a look of reproach, as if he thought
we had no business to be merry after we had deserted him. That day's
ride was to me one of the most perfect enjoyment. Scarcely for a moment
did I leave Madeline's side, and every instant knit my heart closer and
closer to her. I forgot all that the future might bring forth, all the
difficulties to be encountered; the months, perhaps years, of
separation, before I could hope by any possibility to call her mine, and
revelled only in the present. I could not tell what she might think or
feel. I dared not ask, lest the delightful enchantment by which I was
surrounded might be rudely broken. She eagerly listened to all I said,
smiled and blushed and--but I won't go on. I knew that I loved her, and
I thought she loved me. Spinks was an excellent companion on such an
occasion; silent and phlegmatic, he occasionally only would ride up to
offer a few remarks to Mrs Tarleton, and then would drop astern and
seem lost in his own reflections. As the day advanced, signs of war's
malign effects began to appear. Poor fellows, with bandaged heads and
arms in slings, were met limping and cr