ll through the interview, assuming with perfect ease the
manners of the great and rich man who had only to give his orders with a
certainty that they would be obeyed. Mr. Crowe, when he went out from
the young man's presence, had no longer any doubt on his mind as to his
client's pecuniary capability.

On the following day at twelve o'clock, Captain O'Hara, punctual to the
minute, was at the barracks; and there also sitting in Neville's room,
was the attorney. But Neville himself was not there, and the Captain
immediately felt that he had been grossly imposed upon and swindled.
"And who may I have the honour of addressing, when I speak to you, sir?"
demanded the Captain.

"I am a lawyer."

"And Mr. Neville,--my own son-in-law,--has played me that trick!"

Mr. Crowe explained that no trick had been played, but did so in
language which was no doubt less courteous than would have been used had
Mr. Neville been present. As, however, the cause of our hero's absence
is more important to us than the Captain's prospects that must be first
explained.

As soon as the attorney left him Neville had sat down to dinner with his
two brother officers, but was not by any means an agreeable companion.
When they attempted to joke with him as to the young lady on the
cliffs, he showed very plainly that he did not like it; and when Cornet
Simpkinson after dinner raised his glass to drink a health to Miss
O'Hara, Mr. Neville told him that he was an impertinent ass. It was then
somewhat past nine, and it did not seem probable that the evening would
go off pleasantly. Cornet Simpkinson lit his cigar, and tried to wink
at the Captain. Neville stretched out his legs and pretended to go to
sleep. At this moment it was a matter of intense regret to him that he
had ever seen the West of Ireland.

At a little before ten Captain Johnstone retired, and the Cornet attempted
an apology. He had not meant to say anything that Neville would not
like. "It doesn't signify, my dear boy; only as a rule, never mention
women's names," said Neville, speaking as though he were fully fitted by
his experience to lay down the law on a matter so delicate. "Perhaps one
hadn't better," said the Cornet,--and then that little difficulty was
over. Cornet Simpkinson however thought of it all afterwards, and felt
that that evening and that hour had been more important than any other
evening or any other hour in his life.

At half-past ten, when Neville was beginning