onnected with his life long, long ago, and as if it was
impossible it could have been so short a time since he was a boy, and
played about there.

"I hope the men will be careful," he found himself thinking; "and that
every one will be respectful to Lady Markham."

He had not much time for thought after that, for the men were halted on
the level grass land in front of the terrace garden, and he found
himself one of the officers who, after an advance guard had ridden up to
the front, and others had been despatched to form piquets surrounding
the place, rode up in the train of the general.

To Fred's surprise, Lady Markham and her daughter came to the broad step
in front of the entrance, and the general touched his horse's sides with
the spurs, and rode up.

Fred was so near that he heard every word, and he bent forward, looking
in vain for some token of recognition from the pale, careworn lady and
her shrinking daughter, who received the general.

The latter saluted Lady Markham gravely.

"I regret to trouble you, madam," he said; "but we are compelled to take
possession of your house for the present."

Lady Markham bowed coldly.

"We are at your mercy, sir," she said.

"Nonsense, madam!" cried the general, shortly. "You and the pretty
young lady there by your side need not talk about mercy. The stern
necessities of war bring us here, so all I have to say is, be good
enough to reserve such apartments as you need for yourselves. You and
your servants will be perfectly unmolested."

Lady Markham bowed once more.

"The housekeeper is here," she said, "and will provide all we have. We
have no men-servants now, to show where the stables and granary lie."

"Pray don't trouble yourself about these matters, madam. My men will
find what they want, and I dare say," he added sarcastically, "unless
General Markham comes to look us up, and forces us to make more
reprisals, we shall ride away, and you will find the Hall little the
worse for our visit."

A sudden change came over Lady Markham at the mention of her husband's
name, and after a few minutes' hesitation, she stepped out to stand with
joined hands, looking supplicatingly at the general.

"My husband?" she said imploringly, "is--is he well?"

"You ask me a question I cannot answer, madam," said the general, taking
off his morion, and speaking in a quiet sympathising voice. "But there
is one of my young followers who may be able to give you some
inform