earn something of her.

These proved to be more easy than he anticipated, for next morning, on
cross-examining the little servant girl from whom Von Baumser had
derived his information, the major found out all that he desired to
know. According to this authority, the lady was a widow of the name of
Scully, the relict of a deceased engineer, and had been staying some
little time at Morrison's, which was the rival establishment to that in
which the major and Von Baumser resided.

Armed with this information, the major pondered for some time before
deciding upon his course of action. He saw no possible means by which
he could gain an introduction to his charming neighbour unless he had
recourse to some daring strategem. "Audace et toujours audace" had
always been the soldier's motto. He rose from his chair, discarded his
purple gown, and arrayed himself in his best attire. Never had he paid
such attention to his toilet. His face was clean shaven and shining,
his sparse hairs were laid out to the best advantage, his collar
spotless, his frock coat oppressively respectable, and his _tout
ensemble_ irreproachable. "Be George!" he said to himself, as he
surveyed himself in the small lodging-house glass, "I'd look as young as
Baumser if I had some more hair on me head. Bad cess to the helmets and
shakoes that wore it all off."

When his toilet was fully completed and rounded off by the addition of a
pair of light gloves and an ebony stick with a silver head, the veteran
strode forth with a bold front, but with considerable trepidation at his
heart; for when is a man so seasoned as to have no misgivings when he
makes the first advances to a woman who really attracts him? Whatever
the major's inward feelings may have been, however, he successfully
concealed them as he rang the bell of the rival lodging-house and
inquired of the servant whether Mrs. Scully was at home.

"Yes, sir, she is," said the slavey, with a frightened bob, which was a
tribute to the major's martial mien and gorgeous attire.

"Would you tell her that I should like to see her," said the major
boldly. "I shan't detain her a moment. Here is my card--Major Tobias
Clutterbuck, late of the 119th Light Infantry."

The servant disappeared with the card, and presently returned with a
request that he would step up. The old soldier stumped his way upstairs
with the firm footfall of one who has taken a thing in hand and means to
carry it through at all