e to retain his service. Tall, slight and athletic, Mr. Howe was
foremost in all feats of physical sports. Horse racing was his greatest
mania. Few could manage a horse as he, and fewer still could own one
faster than his favourite mare, Bess. Quickly he rose to his feet with
"Jove, Douglas, I feel angry with myself and everybody." "Then keep your
distance, I beseech you," returned Captain Douglas, in his usual jolly
manner. "Listen for a moment and hear my scrape," said Howe. "Down in
the mess this afternoon we got talking,"--"horse, of course," said the
Captain--"yes, horse," said the former, "and got mixed up into one of
the greatest skirmishes ever heard of. Captain Markham swore and raged
like a wild beast Captain Hawley bit his lips with anger, and when I
tried to conciliate matters, they turned on me like a set of vipers. In
fact, with two or three exceptions, they hung together and irated me in
good round English, forward and backward with little regard to Johnson
or any of the time-honoured lexicographers. It was a hot encounter. In
spite of anger, I cannot help laughing, to think how they abused each
other, and, in turn, united themselves into a general force, directing
the fire of their battery upon me. By St. George of England, it was too
much. Of Course this is only the beginning of a series of such
demonstrations." "All's well that ends well," returned Captain Douglas,
"a night's sleep will restore all to a former footing. Major McNair
would frown upon any breach thus made."

CHAPTER II.

AMID THE HOUSEHOLD

The spacious dining hall of Government House now assumed an aspect of
studied splendour. The tables groaned under the weight of tempting and
delicious dishes. The culinary intricacies of Sir Howard's table were
often under comment. Viands of all kinds stood on every side, while the
brilliant scintillations from chandeliers--massive silver and sparkling
glasses--were of wondrous radiance. Sir Howard, preceded by Mr. Howe and
Lady Douglas, led his beautiful daughter to a seat at his side. Captain
Charles Douglas was the escort of Miss Cheenick, the family governess,
and companion of Miss Douglas. The remaining part of the company took
their places in like order, thus completing the usual dinner party. None
but those who have passed much time in the company of Sir Howard
Douglas, and enjoyed his many gay and social dinners and parties, can
form any just conception of the true worth and genuine g