d jump over them, King
Charles's beauties looking down on us from the wall so grand and
gracious. And there was always mignonette and nemophila in window-boxes,
so sweet in the evening air? And the honey? Oh, Harry, do you remember
the honey?"

Her reminiscences succeeded in breaking up the _tete-a-tete_, and, lo!
the wicked little dominant spirit who pulled the wires had indirectly
influenced every one in the room. Harry, mesmerized by eye artillery, had
dropped into confidential converse with Kate; Geraldine was suffering a
_serrement de coeur_ at being so lightly left; and the Colonel, his
occupation gone, was reduced to twisting those tried friends in
perplexity--his pendulous whiskers and moustache.

"How silly a hairy man looks drinking tea," Kate had whispered; "like a
thirsty rat dipping its whiskers and tail in!"

A rather pleased expression pervaded Harry's countenance, which was
as smooth as a billiard-ball. His cousin soon had him beautifully in
hand, and then extorted a promise to do the thing he hated most, _i.e._,
to escort her out hunting the following Friday. She hadn't the smallest
intention of remaining with him after they found. Then she would
ride with her Colonel, who acquitted himself more creditably in a
hunting-field; but, as she was not allowed to start with him alone,
it was necessary to impress Harry into her service.

"That's all settled," cried she, rising. "Remember, honour bright! And
now go and talk to dear Geraldine, who looks as if she were going to
cry." For Kate had heard Lord Bromley's step in the passage. He came in
with Mr. Hobart, who had just returned from London. "Have you heard the
news?" said the latter; "war is declared; the army, Guards and all, are
ordered to the East, and the fleet is to go to the Baltic."

How these few words went straight to their mark, contrasting with the
frivolities that had amused them all day! It had come at last. Chances of
distinction, redemption from stagnation, the much-coveted active service.
They were all brave men in that house--soldiers or sailors, most of them;
but the "bitter sweet first shock" and rush of new ideas kept them, at
first, rather pale and silent.

After dinner though, when the wine had circulated and the first
strangeness worn off, chaff and jest flew lightly about, for a general
excitement pervaded the whole party.

"Shall you order those new clothes now Dashwood, you had so many patterns
for this morning?"

"No!