p the river, and the following day the party disembarked.
Captain O'Connor's servant came on board as soon as the vessel reached
the quay, and his master charged him to pick out his luggage and that
of the two young officers; he then at once proceeded with them to the
barracks. Ralph felt extremely pleased that Captain O'Connor was with
them, as he felt none of the shyness and unpleasantness he would
otherwise have experienced in joining a set of entire strangers.

Captain O'Connor was evidently a favorite in the regiment, for his
arrival was heartily greeted. He at once introduced the two lads to
their future comrades, took them to the colonel, looked after their
quarters, and made them at home. In their absence he spoke warmly in
favor of Ralph. "You will find Conway a first-rate young fellow. He
has seen something of the world, has been carried out to the West
Indies by a French privateersman, and has gone through a lot of
adventures. He is a bright, pleasant, good-tempered fellow. The other
is as green as grass, and has never been away from his mother's
apron-string. However, I do not think you will find him a bad sort of
fellow when he has got rid of his rawness. Don't be too hard upon him,
you boys. Remember easy does it, and don't be pushing your jokes too
far. He is not a fool and will come round in time."

CHAPTER VIII.

STARTLING NEWS.

Three weeks after Ralph's departure to join his regiment Mrs. Conway
received a letter which gave her a great shook. It was from Mrs.
Withers, and was as follows:

"MY DEAR MRS. CONWAY: I have very sad news to tell you. An event
has happened which will, I know, be as afflicting to you as it has
been to us. Our dear friend Mr. Penfold, who but three weeks ago
was so bright and happy with us in London, has passed away
suddenly. Up to the day before yesterday he seemed in his usual
health; but yesterday morning he did not appear at breakfast, and
the servant on going up to his room, found him sitting in a chair
by his bedside dead. The bed had not been slept in, and it appears
as if before commencing to undress he had been seized with a
sudden faintness and had sunk into the chair and died without
being able to summon assistance.

"His death is a terrible shock to us, as it will be to you. My
husband and myself have long been aware that our dear friend
suffered from disease of the heart, and that the doctor he