ntrary," replied Mr. Morris, "I am obliged to you for all you
say. It would be impossible to exaggerate the gravity of my proposal."

"Well, gentlemen, what do you say?" said the tall man, addressing the
others. "We have had our evening's frolic; shall we all go homeward
peaceably in a body? You will think well of my suggestion in the
morning, when you see the sun again in innocence and safety."

The speaker pronounced the last words with an intonation which added to
their force; and his face wore a singular expression, full of gravity
and significance. Another of the company rose hastily, and, with some
appearance of alarm, prepared to take his leave. There were only two who
held their ground, Brackenbury and an old red-nosed cavalry Major; but
these two preserved a nonchalant demeanour, and, beyond a look of
intelligence which they rapidly exchanged, appeared entirely foreign to
the discussion that had just been terminated.

Mr. Morris conducted the deserters as far as the door, which he closed
upon their heels; then he turned round, disclosing a countenance of
mingled relief and animation, and addressed the two officers as follows.

"I have chosen my men like Joshua in the Bible," said Mr. Morris, "and I
now believe I have the pick of London. Your appearance pleased my hansom
cabmen; then it delighted me; I have watched your behaviour in a strange
company, and under the most unusual circumstances: I have studied how
you played and how you bore your losses; lastly, I have put you to the
test of a staggering announcement, and you received it like an
invitation to dinner. It is not for nothing," he cried, "that I have
been for years the companion and the pupil of the bravest and wisest
potentate in Europe."

"At the affair of Bunderchang," observed the Major, "I asked for twelve
volunteers, and every trooper in the ranks replied to my appeal. But a
gaming party is not the same thing as a regiment under fire. You may be
pleased, I suppose, to have found two, and two who will not fail you at
a push. As for the pair who ran away, I count them among the most
pitiful hounds I ever met with.--Lieutenant Rich," he added, addressing
Brackenbury, "I have heard much of you of late; and I cannot doubt but
you have also heard of me. I am Major O'Rooke."

And the veteran tendered his hand, which was red and tremulous, to the
young Lieutenant.

"Who has not?" answered Brackenbury.

"When this little matter is settled," said M