wound; to a lady perhaps, to a man of science
certainly, more interesting than he had been before. As he gazed at the
bride all bespangled with gold, he felt that he had in his trunk the
means of bespangling his bride with diamonds. But the worst of it was
that he must wait, and fight, and perhaps get killed, before he could
settle in life and make his fortune. As an officer of a marching
regiment, ordered to rejoin immediately, he must flesh his sword in
lather first--for he had found no razor strong enough--and postpone the
day of riches till the golden date of peace.

The other young man had no solace of wealth, even in the blue distance,
to whisper to his troubled heart. Although he was a real "Captain
Scuddy" now, being posted to the Danae, 42-gun frigate, the capacity of
his cocked hat would be tried by no shower of gold impending. For mighty
dread of the Union-jack had fallen upon the tricolor; that gallant flag
perceived at last that its proper flight was upon dry land, where as yet
there was none to flout it. Trafalgar had reduced by 50 per cent. the
British sailor's chance of prize-money.

Such computations were not, however, the chief distress of Scudamore.
The happiness of his fair round face was less pronounced than usual,
because he had vainly striven for an interview with his loved one. With
all her faults he loved her still, and longed to make them all his own.
He could not help being sadly shocked by her fatal coquetry with the
traitor Carne, and slippery conduct to his own poor self. But love in
his faithful heart maintained that she had already atoned for that
too bitterly and too deeply; and the settled sorrow of her face, and
listless submission of her movements, showed that she was now a very
different Dolly. Faith, who had always been grave enough, seemed gaiety
itself in comparison with her younger sister, once so gay. In their
simple dresses--grey jaconet muslin, sparely trimmed with lavender--and
wearing no jewel or ornament, but a single snow-drop in the breast, the
lovely bridesmaids looked as if they defied all the world to make them
brides.

But the Rector would not let them off from coming to the breakfast
party, and with the well-bred sense of fitness they obeyed his bidding.
Captain Stubbard (whose jokes had missed fire too often to be satisfied
with a small touch-hole now) was broadly facetious at their expense;
and Johnny, returning thanks for them, surprised the good company by his