e form of talking or of dreaming.

But now that all was over, every one knew that it was time to turn over
a new leaf; and Tom, with his sore heart, did it with a vengeance, and
on the first instance of carelessness, fell on the poor family pet, as
a younger brother and legitimate souffre douleur, with vehemence
proportioned to his own annoyance. It was a fierce lecture upon
general listlessness, want of manliness, spirit, and perseverance,
indifference to duties he had assumed. Nonsense about feelings--a
fellow was not worth the snap of a finger who could not subdue his
feelings--trash.

The sisters heard the storm from the drawing-room, and Gertrude grew
hotly indignant, and wanted Ethel to rush in to the rescue; but Ethel,
though greatly moved, knew that female interposition only aggravated
such matters, and restrained herself and her sister till she heard Tom
stride off. Then creeping in on tiptoe, she found the boy sitting
stunned and confounded by the novelty of the thing.

'What can it be all about, Ethel? I never had such a slanging in my
life?'

'I don't think Tom is quite well. He had a bad headache last night.'

Then I hope--I mean, I think--he must have made it worse! I know mine
aches, as if I had been next door to the great bell;' and he leant
against his sister.

'I am afraid you really were inattentive.'

'No worse than since the heart has gone out of everything. But that
was not all! Ethel, can it really be a disgrace, and desertion, and
all that, if I don't go on with those volunteers, when it makes me sick
to think of touching my rifle?' and his eyes filled with tears.

'It would be a great effort, I know,' said Ethel, smoothing his hair;
'but after all, you volunteered not for pleasure, but because your
country wanted defence.'

'The country? I don't care for it, since it condemned him, when he was
serving it.'

'He would not say that, Aubrey! He would only be vexed to hear that
you gave in, and were fickle to your undertaking. Indeed, if I were
the volunteer, I should think it due to him, not to shrink as if I were
ashamed of what he was connected with.'

Aubrey tried to answer her sweet high-spirited smile, but he had been
greatly hurt and distressed, and the late reproach to his manhood
embittered his tears without making it easier to repress them; and
pushing away his chair, he darted up-stairs.

'Poor dear fellow! I've been very hard on him, and only blamed instead
of