l enough it used to be."

"Well; it is dull. Not that he is dull himself; I can always talk to
my uncle when he will talk to me."

"Sees no company, I suppose?"

"Not much."

"Never goes into society?"

"He dines out in London sometimes; and sometimes gives dinners too."

"What! at taverns?"

"Yes; at Blackwall, or Greenwich, or some of those places. I have
been at his dinners, and he never spares anything."

"He doesn't feel his years, then? He's not infirm? no rheumatism or
anything of that sort--strong on his legs, eh?"

"As strong as you are, sir."

"He's ten years my senior, you know."

"Yes, I know he is. He's not nearly so young a man as you are; but
I really think he is as strong. He's a wonderful man for his years,
certainly."

"I'm delighted to hear it," said Sir Lionel. A keen judge of
character, however, scrutinizing the colonel's face closely, would
not then have read much warm delight therein depicted.

"You rather like him on the whole, then--eh, George?"

"Well; I really think I do. I am sure I ought to like him. But--"

"Well, George; speak out. You and I need have no secrets."

"Secrets, no; I've no secret. My uncle has a way of saying too much
himself about what he does for one."

"Sends in the bill too often--eh, George?"

"If it is to be a bill, let him say so. I for one shall not blame
him. There is no reason he should give me anything. But situated as I
have been at Oxford, it would have been almost absurd in me to refuse
his allowance--"

"Quite absurd."

"When he knew I was coming out to you, he made Pritchett--you know
Pritchett?"

"And his handwriting--very well indeed."

"He made Pritchett put three hundred pounds to my credit; that was
over and above my allowance. Well, I did almost make up my mind to
return that; as it is, I have not touched it, and I think I shall
repay it."

"For heaven's sake do no such thing. It would be an offence which he
would never forgive." Sir Lionel did say so much with something of
parental energy in his tone and manner.

"Yes, sir; but to be told of it!"

"But he does not ask you to pay it him back again?"

"If he asks you;--is not that the same thing? But you hardly
understand me, or him either."

"I think I understand him, George. I wonder whether they could give
us a cup of coffee here?"

"Of course they can:" and George rang the bell.

"Perhaps so; but as far as my experience goes, wherever Englishmen
frequent, there