and he drops one at Paris, another at Munich, another at
Turin, and perhaps the next at Timbuctoo. He goes full speed,--regular
steeple-chase pace,--and punches the head of the first postmaster that
delays him; and as he is well paid, and has nothing to think of but the
road, the life is n't such a bad one."

"And does it lead to anything; is there any promotion from it?"

"Not that I know, except to a pension; but who wants anything better?
Who asks for a jollier life than rattling over Europe in all directions
at the Queen's expense? Once on a time they were all snobs, or the same
thing; now they are regular swells, who dine with the Minister, and walk
into the attaches at billiards or blind hookey; for the dons saw it was
a grand thing to keep the line for younger sons, and have a career where
learning might be left out, and brains were only a burden!"

"I never heard of such a line of life," said she, gravely.

"I had it from the fellows themselves. There were five of them in the
waiting-room, tossing for sovereigns, and cursing the first clerk,
whoever he is; and they told me they 'd not change with the first
secretaries of any legation in Europe. But who is this, mother, that I
see coming down the hill?--he 's no acquaintance of ours, I think?"

"Oh, it's Mr. Maitland, Tony," said she, in some confusion; for she was
not always sure in what temper Tony would receive a stranger.

"And who may Mr. Maitland be?"

"A very charming and a very kind person, too, whose acquaintance I made
since you left this; he brought me books and flowers, and some geranium
slips; and, better than all, his own genial company."

"He's not much of a sportsman, I see; that short gun he carries is more
like a walking-stick than a fowling-piece." And Tony turned his gaze
seaward, as though the stranger was not worth a further scrutiny.

"They told me I should find you here, madam," said Maitland, as he came
forward, with his hat raised, and a pleasant smile on his face.

"My son, sir," said the old lady, proudly,--"my son Tony, of whom I have
talked to you."

"I shall be charmed if Mr. Butler will allow me to take that place in
his acquaintance which a sincere interest in him gives me some claim
to," said Maitland, approaching Tony, intending to shake his hand, but
too cautious to risk a repulse, if it should be meditated.

[Illustration: 182]

Tony drew himself up haughtily, and said, "I am much honored, sir; but I
don't see an