Horse
Guards; I am too old, or too something or other for the service, and
there's nothing left me but to enter the ranks."

"Oh, Charley," cried the other, "if you only knew of the breaking heart
you have left behind you!--if you only knew how _she_ loves you!"

Was it that the boyish accents of these few words appealed to
Heathcote's heart with all the simple force of truth?--was it that they
broke in upon his gloom so unexpectedly,--a slanting sun-ray piercing a
dark cloud? But so it is, that he turned away, and drew his hand across
his eyes.

"I was off for a day's hunting down in Leicestershire," said Agincourt.
"I sent the nags away yesterday. Come with me, Charley; we shall be
back again to-morrow, and you 'll see if my old guardian won't set all
straight with the War-Office people for you. Unless," added he, in a
half-whisper, "you choose in the mean while to put your trust in what I
shall tell you, and go back again."

"I only hope that I may do so," said Heathcote, as he wrung the other's
hand warmly, "and I'd bless the hour that led me here this morning."

It was soon arranged between them that Agincourt should drive round by
Heathcote's lodgings and take him up, when he had packed up a few things
for the Journey. O'Shea was so sound asleep that he could scarcely be
awakened to hear his companion say "good-bye." Some vague, indistinct
idea floated before him that Heathcote had fallen upon some good
fortune, and, as he shook his hand, he muttered,--

"Go in and win, old fellow; take all you can get, clear the beggars out,
that's _my_ advice to you." And with these sage counsels he turned on
his pillow, and snored away once more.

"Wasn't that Inch-o'-brogue I heard talking to you?" asked Agincourt.

"Yes. The poor fellow, like myself, is sorely hard up just now."

"My old governor must get him something. We 'll think of him on our
return; so jump in, Charley, or we shall be late for the train."

How contagious was that happy boy's good humor, and how soon did his
light-heartedness impart its own quality to Heathcote's spirits. As
they whirled along through the brisk fresh air of the morning, the youth
recounted all that passed with him since they met,--no very great or
stirring events were they, it is true, but they were _his_,--and they
were his first experiences of dawning manhood; and, oh! let any of us,
now plodding along wearily on the shady side of life, only bethink us
of the joyful sunshine