he had made some progress in those of Lady Julia. He
was gentlemanly in his manners, and Lord Reginald always spoke of him as
"a capital fellow," and seemed to regard him with affection.

Lord Reginald himself, accustomed to an active life, was, however,
beginning to grow somewhat tired of his stay on shore; though attached
to his family, he was perfectly ready to go back to his ship. He had
experienced, indeed, lately some difficulty in finding amusement for
himself and companion. He and Voules had made the acquaintance of the
lieutenant of the neighbouring coastguard station, who, having seen a
great deal of service, and being a merry fellow, with a fund of
anecdote, was an amusing companion. Lieutenant Hilton had several times
been invited to dine at the hall, an honour he highly appreciated,
although it cost him a long trudge there and back, over a somewhat wild
region, with the risk of encountering some of the lawless characters of
the neighbourhood, who looked upon him as their worst foe. He had one
day been dining at the hall; the gentlemen having indulged freely in the
bottle, as was too common in those times, were about to join the ladies
in the drawing-room, when a servant entered to inform Lieutenant Hilton
that a person wished to see him immediately on important business.

"He has probably brought information that a run is to be made to-night,
and if so, Hilton, we'll accompany you to see the fun," said Lord
Reginald. "Don't go off without us, remember. We'll mount you, and we
will ride together, with any one else who likes to come."

Lieutenant Hilton hurried out to see the messenger. He returned to say
that Lord Reginald was right in his conjectures, and that there was no
time to be lost, as a suspicious lugger had been seen off the coast, and
that as the night promised to be dark, there was no doubt she would try
to run her cargo before the morning.

The other gentlemen declined the proposed expedition, and Voules would
gladly have remained behind, but he could not venture to allow Lord
Reginald to go without him, especially as he himself had proposed
assisting the revenue, should an opportunity occur. Very unwillingly,
therefore, he went to his room to prepare for the ride, instead of
passing the evening, as he had hoped, in the society of Lady Julia.

The marquis, although he would rather his son had not undertaken what
might prove a hazardous expedition, could not object, as he had
expres