house, or a shop, it would be
like going to prison for me. In short, I am going to enlist, and have
also determined on the branch of the service which is to reap the
benefit."

"Cavalry, I suppose; Lancers, Dragoons, or Hussars?"

"Neither. I fixed on that arm at first; the uniform attracted me; the
sword is a noble weapon; and to ride is pleasanter than to walk. But
these advantages are more than counterbalanced by the lot of
accoutrements a horse soldier has to clean, and the fact that at the end
of a day's march he has to attend to his horse before he can look after
himself."

"A great many gentlemen's sons go into the Artillery."

"I have settled upon the Infantry, and intend to-morrow morning to offer
my invaluable services to the Foot Guards. You look surprised."

"Well, yes," said Royce. "To tell the truth I fancied that you would be
anxious to get to India; there is more chance, you know, of promotion
that way."

"I have thought out that. But, to tell the truth, unless there were a
prospect of active service I should prefer to remain in England, for
this sole reason. I do not give up all hope of that will turning up,
and if it should, I want to be in the way of getting early information,
and looking after my interests."

Royce sat in silent thought for a little while, and then said--

"I see what you mean, and upon my word I do not know how to advise you
better."

And after a little more chat they went to bed.

Next morning, when Kavanagh was dressed, he turned to his bath with a
sad conviction that his morning ablutions must in future be of a much
less satisfactory nature, and he sighed, for this went more home to him
than almost anything. "Ta, ta, tub!" he said, as he closed the door.

He found Royce already in the sitting-room making the tea, and they
breakfasted together.

When the meal was over, Kavanagh rose and said--

"By-the-by, there is my gun; it is a full-choke, and a remarkably good
killer if one only holds it straight. It was a present, and I did not
like to sell it. Will you have it as a memorial from a fellow to whom
you have been uncommonly kind? Good-bye, and thank you for all."

"Good-bye," said Royce, in a voice which he had a difficulty to keep
steady. "I hope luck will turn for you soon; but I feel sure it will.
And if you have forgotten anything, or I can do anything for you, mind
you come to me, or write if I am out of town. Good-bye again."

Kavanagh wrung