tickle a casuist. It did not, I may say,
tickle me in the least, but played the mischief with my peace. If you,
my friends, having weighed the _pro_ and _contra_, would have counselled
inaction, possibly, allowing for the _hebetude de foyer_ and the fact
that Flora was soon to become a mother, you might have predicted it. At
any rate I sat still and read the newspapers: and on the top of them
came a letter from Ronald, announcing that the 4-th had their marching,
or rather their sailing, orders, and that within a week his boat would
rock by the pier of Leith to convey him and his comrades to join the
Duke of Wellington's forces in the Low Countries. Forthwith nothing
would suit my dear girl but we must post to Edinburgh to bid him
farewell--in a chariot, this time, with a box seat for her maid and Mr.
Rowley. We reached Swanston in time for Ronald to spend the eve of his
departure with us at the Cottage; and very gallant the boy looked in his
scarlet uniform, which he wore for the ladies' benefit, and which (God
forgive us men!) they properly bedewed with their tears.

Early next morning we drove over to the city and drew up in the thick of
the crowd gathered at the foot of the Castle Hill to see the 4-th march
out. We had waited half an hour, perhaps, when we heard two thumps of a
drum and the first notes of the regimental quick-step sounded within the
walls; the sentry at the outer gate stepped back and presented arms, and
the ponderous archway grew bright with the red coats and brazen
instruments of the band. The farewells on their side had been said; and
the inexorable _tramp_--_tramp_ upon the drawbridge was the burthen of
their answer to the waving handkerchiefs, the huzzas of the citizens,
the cries of the women. On they came, and in the first rank, behind the
band, rose Major Chevenix. He saw us, flushed a little, and gravely
saluted. I never liked the man; but will admit he made a fine figure
there. And I pitied him a little; for while his eyes rested on Flora,
hers wandered to the rear of the third company, where Ensign Ronald
Gilchrist marched beside the tattered colours with chin held up and a
high colour on his young cheeks and a lip that quivered as he passed us.

"God bless you, Ronald!"

"Left wheel!" The band and the Major riding behind it swung round the
corner into North Bridge Street; the rear-rank and the adjutant behind
it passed down the Lawnmarket. Our driver was touching up his horses to
follo