hore-boat could not be
delayed. This caused Mr and Mrs Drew much regret, but we cannot add
that it caused the same to Miss Drew, because that young lady possessed
considerable command of feature, and revealed no feeling at all on the
occasion.

Miles was greatly disappointed when he found that they had gone, but
consoled himself with the hope that he could make use of his first day's
leave to find them out in the town and say good-bye.

"But why encourage hope?" thought Miles to himself, with bitterness in
his heart; "I'm only a private. Marion will never condescend to think
of _me_. What have I to offer her except my worthless self?" (you see
Miles was beginning to see through himself faintly.) "Even if my father
were a rich man, able to buy me out of the army and leave me a fortune--
which he is not--what right have I to expect that a girl like Marion
would risk her happiness with a fellow who has no profession, no means
of subsistence, and who has left home without money and without leave?
Bah! Miles, you are about the greatest goose that ever put on a red
coat!"

He was getting on, you see! If he had put "sinner" for "goose," his
shot would have been nearer the mark; as it was, all things considered,
it was not a miss. He smarted considerably under the self-condemnation.
If a comrade had said as much he would have resented it hotly, but a
man is wonderfully lenient to himself!

Under the impulse of these feelings he sought and obtained leave to go
into the town. He wished to see how the new Soldiers' Institute being
set up there was getting along. He had promised Miss Robinson to pay it
a visit. That was his plea. He did not feel called upon to inform his
officer of his intention to visit the Drews! That was quite a private
matter--yet it was the main matter; for, on landing, instead of
inquiring for the spot where the new Institute was being erected, he
began a search among the various hotels where English visitors were wont
to put up. The search was successful. He found the hotel, but the
family had gone out, he was told, and were not expected back till
evening.

Disappointment, of course, was the result; but he would wait. It is
amazing what an amount of patience even impatient men will exercise when
under the influence of hope! There was plenty of time to run down and
see the Institute, but he might miss his friends if they should chance
to come in and go out again during his absence. What