was not deceived.
'When I first saw her I admired her, and I admire her now, and like her.
I like her so well that I shall be glad to see you marry her.'

'But,' replied Bob, with hesitation, 'I thought I saw you looking very
sad, as if you were in love; I saw you take out a letter, in short.
That's what it was disturbed me and made me come to you.'

'O, I see your mistake!' said John, laughing forcedly.

At this minute Mrs. Loveday and the miller, who were taking a twilight
walk in the garden, strolled round near to where the brothers stood. She
talked volubly on events in Budmouth, as most people did at this time.
'And they tell me that the theatre has been painted up afresh,' she was
saying, 'and that the actors have come for the season, with the most
lovely actresses that ever were seen.'

When they had passed by John continued, 'I _am_ in love, Bob; but--not
with Anne.'

'Ah! who is it then?' said the mate hopefully.

'One of the actresses at the theatre,' John replied, with a concoctive
look at the vanishing forms of Mr. and Mrs. Loveday. 'She is a very
lovely woman, you know. But we won't say anything more about it--it
dashes a man so.'

'O, one of the actresses!' said Bob, with open mouth.

'But don't you say anything about it!' continued the trumpet-major
heartily. 'I don't want it known.'

'No, no--I won't, of course. May I not know her name?'

'No, not now, Bob. I cannot tell 'ee,' John answered, and with truth,
for Loveday did not know the name of any actress in the world.

When his brother had gone, Captain Bob hastened off in a state of great
animation to Anne, whom he found on the top of a neighbouring hillock
which the daylight had scarcely as yet deserted.

'You have been a long time coming, sir,' said she, in sprightly tones of
reproach.

'Yes, dearest; and you'll be glad to hear why. I've found out the whole
mystery--yes--why he's queer, and everything.'

Anne looked startled.

'He's up to the gunnel in love! We must try to help him on in it, or I
fear he'll go melancholy-mad like.'

'We help him?' she asked faintly.

'He's lost his heart to one of the play-actresses at Budmouth, and I
think she slights him.'

'O, I am so glad!' she exclaimed.

'Glad that his venture don't prosper?'

'O no; glad he's so sensible. How long is it since that alarm of the
French?'

'Six weeks, honey. Why do you ask?'

'Men can forget in six weeks, can't they, Bob?'

The impression