Mondreer.

Arrived there, Col. Anglesea took possession of the mansion with the most
engaging condescension and continued to borrow money of his host with the
most charming affability.

He had, besides, a frank, bluff, soldierly manner, which pleased the
country neighbors and won their confidence. He easily ran into debt at the
country stores and pleasantly won money at cards from the simple, young
men who thought it an honor to lose their cash to such a very great nabob
and very fine gentleman.

Meanwhile he kept a sharp lookout for rich young men to fleece and some
rich heiress to marry.

Abel Force, in his frank, cordial, unsuspicious hospitality, gave hunting
breakfasts, dinner parties and oyster suppers in honor of his English
guest, and invited all the best people in the county to meet him.

Col. Anglesea, from his pleasing person and agreeable manners,
entertaining conversation, and fund of information and anecdote, became
very popular in the neighborhood, and the county gentry feasted and
lionized him to his heart's content.

But the longed-for heiress did not seem to be forthcoming.

All the young ladies to whom he was introduced had fathers and mothers in
the prime of life who bade fair to outlive the handsome colonel himself by
many years, and ever so many brothers and sisters.

Indeed, large families seemed to be the rule in that neighborhood, and
only daughters who were heiresses the exception that could nowhere be
found.

It was strange that in all his search for a girl with expectations the
colonel had never thought of Odalite.

But, then, she was only sixteen years of age, and she looked much younger.
She seemed to be merely the eldest child among children.

One day early in December an event occurred that opened his eyes. A letter
arrived from foreign parts that gave the whole family, and especially
Odalite, the greatest pleasure. She ran about with it open in her hands,
and read it to her parents, to her sisters, and even to her governess.

Col. Anglesea, in his self-absorption, took not the slightest interest in
this family jubilee and felt not the least curiosity concerning the letter
which had caused it.

But Mr. Force, in the generous exuberance of his nature, wished to share
his pleasure with all others, and so, joining his guest in a walk over the
frozen fields that winter morning, he smiled and said:

"We have just received a letter from my ward and cousin, Midshipman
Leonidas