t she was not. She, on this, turned round quickly
to Ronald. "You dance, sometimes, Mr Morton, I know."

"Yes," he answered quickly, stepping forward and asking Miss Armytage to
dance.

She smiled and promised.

The young stranger looked very much annoyed. He had fancied himself
secure of her hand. Many men of rank and wealth would have been proud
of the honour Ronald had obtained, though not more proud than he was.
That evening was the brightest he had ever spent. But there were clouds
in the horizon. He learned that Colonel Armytage had received a high
appointment at Bombay, and that they were about at once to sail for that
presidency, on board the "Osterley," a Company's ship, which was to
touch there on her passage home.

"We sail in two weeks or so," said Miss Armytage. "I shall be truly
sorry to leave Calcutta."

"I had little expected to find it so delightful a place," answered
Ronald.

Miss Armytage slightly blushed when he said this. Why, she could
scarcely tell. Perhaps it was his manner--perhaps an unconscious look
he gave. Though many sought her hand, she declined dancing again, in
consequence of feeling tired, from having danced so much the previous
evening.

Ronald was constantly by her side; for whenever he left it, he was
quickly again attracted back; nor was he ever in want of an excuse for
returning. Towards the end of the evening he observed the eyes of
several people glancing towards him. It struck him that he formed the
subject of conversation, especially among a group of military men. It
was not, however, till he happened to meet Sims that his suspicions were
confirmed.

"I knew it would be so," said his brother lieutenant. "The fellows
here, among the military, have got an idea that you refused to fight
Maguire; and I believe that donkey, Bolton, has been setting the story
afloat. I should like to keel-haul him."

"Let him alone; it matters little what so insignificant a fellow says or
does," observed Morton. "The story can hardly last out the usual nine
days; and if we all behave well, we can allow these empty-headed fellows
to amuse themselves for that time at our expense."

The ball came to a conclusion without any unusual occurrence. Morton
could not help feeling sure that he stood well in the opinion of Miss
Armytage. He had so little conceit in his composition that it never for
a moment occurred to him that he had excited any warmer sentiment.

After this he