o the Felworths. And now my
story is finished. But you had better retire to rest as soon as you
can, for you have but a few hours to sleep."

Though I lay in bed, sleep forsook my eyelids. This may, in some
degree, have been owing to the excitement of the party; but still my
mind was strangely perplexed with the expression "Units." I felt that
Mrs Russell's expression, though uttered in jest, contained a good
deal of seriousness. "Shoot Units!" "Beware of Units!" What could be
the meaning? There are times certainly in which one is more given to
superstitious feelings than he is at others, and such, perhaps, was my
case at that time; I could not banish the thought that my future fate
in life was somehow connected with the unknown "Units."

"After all," said I, throwing myself out of bed, "the nearest
expression to Mrs Russell's that I know of is, '_Take care of Number
One_.' It is an older precept, and most likely a wiser one; and
henceforward I will be doubly careful to observe it."

CHAPTER IV.

The day after (or, more correctly, the same day) I arrived at
Craigduff, where I received a hearty Irish welcome. The first evening
with young Felworth was passed much in the same manner as a previous
one with Russell. After tea, three rubbers of long whist closed the
evening. Though I listened with close attention, I never heard the
word "Units" mentioned.

The following morning, Frederick Felworth took me over the grounds and
farm, where I saw much to admire. Every thing was well arranged; and
even in the minutest matters I could detect the constant
superintendence of a master.

"We will keep the stables for the last," said Felworth, "because they
are the best; and I flatter myself I can show you a stud unrivalled in
numerous respects."

These words were spoken with an increased animation, giving clear
evidence wherein his tastes lay.

"These two stables on this side of the yard each contain four horses.
There is a harness-room, you see, between them, and a loose-box at the
lower end of the farthest. We may as well go into the first one,
although you will see nothing in it but two fat family carriage-horses
and two ponies. The first of these lesser quadrupeds is my Aunt's,
which she drives in a small car on her numerous charitable visits. The
other is the Governor's, which he occasionally rides. Now let us come
to the next stable, which is mine solely and peculiarly; and if my
stud does not astonish and delight y