d declared that he felt himself
getting better and stronger every day.

"If you had only seen me at Calcutta," he said, "you would sing a
different song. Eh, Winburn?"

Harry Winburn was much changed, and had acquired all the composed
and self-reliant look which is so remarkable in a good
non-commissioned officer. Readiness to obey and command was
stamped on every line of his face; but it required all his powers
of self-restraint to keep within bounds his delight at getting
home again. His wound was quite healed, and his health
re-established by the voyage; and, when Tom saw how wonderfully
his manners and carriage were improved, and how easily his
uniform sat on him, he felt quite sure that all would soon be
right at Englebourn, and that Katie and he would be justified in
their prophecies and preparations. The invalids had to report
themselves in London, and thither the three proceeded together.
When this was done, Harry Winburn was sent off at once. He
resisted at first, and begged to be allowed to stay with his
captain until the captain could go to Berkshire himself. But he
was by this time too much accustomed to discipline not to obey a
positive order, and was comforted by Tom's assurance that he
would not leave East, and would do everything for him which the
sergeant had been accustomed to do.

Three days later, as East and Tom were sitting at breakfast, a
short note came from Miss Winter, telling of Harry's arrival--how
the bells were set ringing to welcome him; how Mr. Hardy had
preached the most wonderful sermon on his story the next day;
above all, how Patty had surrendered at discretion, and the banns
had been called for the first time. So the sooner they would come
down the better--as it was very important that no time should be
lost, lest some of the old jealousies and quarrels should break
out again. Upon reading and considering which letter, East
resolved to start for Englebourn at once, and Tom to accompany
him.

There was one person to whom Harry's return and approaching
wedding was a subject of unmixed joy and triumph, and that was
David the constable. He had always been a sincere friend to
Harry, and had stood up for him when all the parish
respectabilities had turned against him, and had prophesied that
he would live to be a credit to the place. So now David felt
himself an inch higher as he saw Harry walking about in his
uniform with his sweetheart, the admiration of all Englebourn.
But, bes