ack to die among the men he had
saved."

"Jessie Cameron singing his dirge," mumbled this provoking individual,
with something about the form of his cheek that being taken by Rachel
for a derisive smile, made her exclaim vehemently, "You do not mean to
undervalue an action like that in comparison with mere animal pugnacity
in an advance."

"More than one's duty was your test," he said.

"And was not this more than duty? Ah! I see yours is a spirit of
depreciation, and I can only say I pity you."

He took the trouble to lift himself up and make a little bow of
acknowledgment. Certainly he was worse than the Colonel; but Rachel,
while mustering her powers for annihilating him, was annoyed by all the
party in the drawing-room coming forth to join them, the other officers
rallying young Keith upon his luxurious station, and making it evident
that he was a proverb in the regiment for taking his ease. Chairs were
brought out, and afternoon tea, and the callers sat down to wait for
Colonel Keith to come in; Grace feeling obliged to stay to help Fanny
entertain her visitors, and Rachel to protect her from their follies.
One thing Grace began to perceive, that Lady Temple had in her former
world been a person of much more consideration than she was made here,
and seeing the polite and deferential manner of these officers to her,
could only wonder at her gentle content and submission in meeting with
no particular attention from anybody, and meekly allowing herself to be
browbeaten by Rachel and lectured by her aunt.

A lecture was brewing up for her indeed. Poor Mrs. Curtis was very much
concerned at the necessity, and only spurred up by a strong sense of
duty to give a hint--the study of which hint cost her a whole sleepless
night and a very weary Sunday morning. She decided that her best course
would be to drive to Myrtlewood rather early on her way to church,
and take up Fanny, gaining a previous conference with her alone, if
possible. "Yes, my dear," she said to Grace, "I must get it over before
church, or it will make me so nervous all through the service." And
Grace, loving her mother best, durst not suggest what it might do to
Fanny, hoping that the service might help her to digest the hint.

Mrs. Curtis's regular habits were a good deal shocked to find Fanny
still at the breakfast table. The children had indeed long finished,
and were scattered about the room, one of them standing between Colonel
Keith's knees, rep