ed, was now taking possession of his paternal
estate in the jovial season of merry, autumn, accompanied by a select
party of friends, to enjoy the sports of a country famous for game.

This was delightful news to our traveller. Frank Woodville had been
Richard Browne's fag at Eton, and his chosen intimate at Christ Church;
their pleasures and their tasks had been the same; and the honest
soldier's heart warmed to find his early friend in possession of so
delightful a residence, and of an estate, as the landlord assured
him with a nod and a wink, fully adequate to maintain and add to his
dignity. Nothing was more natural than that the traveller should suspend
a journey, which there was nothing to render hurried, to pay a visit to
an old friend under such agreeable circumstances.

The fresh horses, therefore, had only the brief task of conveying the
General's travelling carriage to Woodville Castle. A porter admitted
them at a modern Gothic lodge, built in that style to correspond with
the castle itself, and at the same time rang a bell to give warning of
the approach of visitors. Apparently the sound of the bell had suspended
the separation of the company, bent on the various amusements of the
morning; for, on entering the court of the chateau, several young
men were lounging about in their sporting dresses, looking at and
criticizing the dogs which the keepers held in readiness to attend their
pastime. As General Browne alighted, the young lord came to the gate
of the hall, and for an instant gazed, as at a stranger, upon the
countenance of his friend, on which war, with its fatigues and its
wounds, had made a great alteration. But the uncertainty lasted no
longer than till the visitor had spoken, and the hearty greeting which
followed was such as can only be exchanged betwixt those who have passed
together the merry days of careless boyhood or early youth.

"If I could have formed a wish, my dear Browne," said Lord Woodville,
"it would have been to have you here, of all men, upon this occasion,
which my friends are good enough to hold as a sort of holiday. Do not
think you have been unwatched during the years you have been absent
from us. I have traced you through your dangers, your triumphs, your
misfortunes, and was delighted to see that, whether in victory or
defeat, the name of my old friend was always distinguished with
applause."

The General made a suitable reply, and congratulated his friend on his
new dign