ered under the sudden weight of anxiety which
possessed him when Captain Douglas made the startling disclosure, with
the accompanying remark: "Jove! I always said that Gerald Bereford was a
lucky fellow."

The thoughtful gaze of Mr. Howe as he stood in mute and silent
astonishment, raised a laugh from his companion, with the addition of a
second remark, implying that her ladyship must have made sad havoc upon
the heart of a certain individual, judging from the effect produced by
the announcement of her marriage.

True indeed! Lady Rosamond had made havoc upon the heart and affection
of a _certain individual_, as Captain Douglas roughly remarked, but not
the one to whom he made direct allusion.

The heart that suffered most will be the last to acknowledge. "Heaven
pity poor Trevelyan," murmured Mr. Howe.

CHAPTER XIV.

NEW FRIENDS--THE 81ST--SOCIAL RECREATION.

Fredericton society was now becoming amply compensated for the loss
sustained by the departure of the 52nd Regiment. The gallant Col. Creagh
had become a general favorite. Waterloo, with its bloody scenes and
brilliant victory, was still fresh in his memory. He never wearied in
relating these with fond pride, while his heart was fired with an
enthusiasm that stirred every vein with renewed patriotic impulses. The
gentlemanly conduct that marked the officers of the 81st, soon won the
esteem of the citizens, and placed them on confidential and friendly
terms within a short time after their arrival. Though not distinguished
by the sporting propensities of their predecessors, the general tone of
society received a loftier impetus, social intercourse on a moderate
basis was the general feature of the present. Balls and parties were of
greater importance than the sports of the turf or field. It must not be
inferred the 81st Regiment was quiet and inactive from the facts thus
stated. On the contrary, they were gay, dashing and animated, full of the
vigour and energy of military life; but the comparison affects them not
when we say that the sporting reputation of the 52nd Regiment was
unprecedented in military records. Among those deserving notice was
Jasper Creagh. He was a winning and agreeable youth, displaying much of
the daring and military spirit of his distinguished sire. Many hearts
beat faster when they listened to the manly voice of the young soldier.
Within a very short space of time an intimacy sprang up between the
latter and Lieutenant Trevely