guest's disposal.

Sarah was evidently bent on conquest. Her toilet was a marvellous
combination of some shining blue and white texture, mingled with pink
roses and gold ornaments. Her soft fair hair was loosened and curled,
and she had a childlike manner of being carelessly happy. Brune sat at
her right hand; she talked to him in smiles and glances, and gave her
words to Aspatria. She was determined to please both sister and
brother, and she succeeded. Aspatria thought she had never in all her
life seen a woman so lovable, so amusing, so individual.

Brune was naturally shy and silent among women. Sarah made him
eloquent, because she had the tact to discover the subject on which
he could talk,--his regiment, and its sayings and doings. So Brune was
delighted with himself; he had never before suspected how clever he
was. Stimulated by Sarah's and Aspatria's laughter and curiosity, he
found it easy to retail funny little bits of palace and mess gossip,
and to describe the queer men and the vain men and the fine fellows
that were his familiars.

"And pray how do you amuse yourself, Lieutenant? Do you drink wine,
and gamble, and go to the races, and bet your purse empty?"

"I was never brought up in such ways," Brune answered, "and, I can
tell you, I wouldn't make believe to like them. There are a good many
dalesmen in my company, and none of us enjoy anything more than a fair
throw or an in-lock."

"A throw or an in-lock! What do you mean, Lieutenant? You must explain
yourself to Miss Anneys and myself."

"Aspatria knows well enough. Did you ever see north-country lads
wrestling, madam? No? Then you have as fine a thing in keeping for
your eyes as human creatures can show you. I'll warrant that! Why-a!
wrestling brings all men to their level. When Colonel Jardine is
ugly-tempered, and top-heavy with his authority, a few sound throws
over Timothy Sutcliffe's head does bring him to level very well. I had
a little in-play with him yesterday; for in the wrestling-ring we be
all equals, though out of it he is my colonel."

"Now for the in-play. Tell me about it, for I see Miss Anneys is not
at all interested."

"Colonel Jardine is a fine wrestler; a fair match he would be even for
brother Will. Yesterday he said he could throw me; and I took the
challenge willingly. So we shook hands, and went squarely for the
throw. I was in good luck, and soon got my head under his right arm,
and his head close down to my left side