"I wish to leave a parting-gift with each big enough; and his excellency must have of you. The same in either case. For worlds I would not bring fierce jealousies between you. Promise me that it shall not be so."

"His excellency, my venerable uncle, muttered something about obliging friends at home, my dear. Promotion by merit is at an end, you know, on my retirement. In fact, the thing's a job. Nevertheless, the lad is a likely lad."

"Well, tell us all about him. I'm dying to hear," said Rosa.

"What all about him? His looks, and manners, and aptitude for the 'valse à deux temps'? Florence can do the description a long chalk better than I can."

"How dare you?" answered Florence. "No, but tell us what makes you think him a likely lad."

"The cut of his jib," I should say, but for professional prejudice against all nautical terms."

Rosa laughed, and clapped her pretty little white hands at his utterance of the ugly word, with an arch look at Florence. "For shame, Willie!" said that young lady. "You know you have taken noble pains to win the confidence of natives by your knowledge of native languages and laws. And now you make a mock of your own nobleness, and encourage Rosa in her follies." There was emotion in her voice, and it apparently moved Willie, for he said in a very different tone from any he had used,"Thank you, Flo, for your good word, at any rate."

Rosa, put out for a moment, soon rallied, and said,

"I understood, then, Mr. Locksley will ask Flo to dance in Hindustani, offer ices in Urdoo, and thank her in Tamil for the honor of having held her fan. That, so far, is certainly satisfactory. What more?" "He can ride a bit."

"If Florence wont say that I am turning horse-jockey, like Stubbs of the Nizam, whom she stigmatized as such once in my hearing, you shall have the story."

"You seem sensitive of her highness' strictures, Willie. I did not know that was a weakness of yours."

"We all have our failings. May I go ahead, Flo?"

His cousin gave him a nod and pleasant

"Yes; a watercourse, ravine, or some such thing, I think."

"Just so. There was a certain nullah then, about five miles off, which had stopped the whole field after a jackal one day. A dispute arose as to the power of any Arab to clear it in his stride. A thoroughbred English hunter, thoroughly broken, would do it; but whether an Indian-trained Arab would was questioned. There was a pasty-faced lad there of the name of Mansfield, belonging to some cavalry corps, I think, who was loud and noisy in the negative, calling upon any one to "So can our black grooms, the Syces." name a horse in the garrison that could clear "Ah, but your Syces can't break that the leap. Young Locksley, who had hitherto Arab your father bought from the Habesh said nothing, named the major's big chestnut, horsedealer for you, three weeks ago. Not which convinced us all, at once, that he knew one of them has ventured to mount him yet. something of the shape a horse should have at Now, Locksley will do it, if it's to be done, his hind-quarter. I think."

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Mansfield laughed at him, rudely enough,

'Abool-Harg,'

asking him what he knew about horses, and | griffin spilt, he was mistaken. adding that he had never yet had the pleas-the father of heat,' as they call the chestnut, ure to see him even astride of a pony. Locks- had got a cool rider, who sat him to perfecley, not a morsel put out, said he didn't know tion. The major, who is rather shy of riding much about horses, but still thought the chest-him himself, begged of Locksley to give him nut could clear the nullah. I must tell you, his morning gallops any day, so he and Brown by the way, that Locksley is about the only and I had several rides together. One day sub in his corps who doesn't keep a horse or we neared the nullah. two, but lives in what other griffs call a queer 'close-shaving manner' altogether."

Perhaps he is poor," suggested Florence charitably, "and wants to keep within his income; a rule of life but little followed by his brother subs, I fear."

"No, they say his governor's well off enough; but that's neither here nor there. Mansfield seemed to think he'd got him in a corner, and asked him at last, outright, whether he meant to say that he wouldn't funk to ride the chestnut at the nullah himself.

“I don't think that I should," he answered, very quietly.

"Any objection, major?'

"Oh dear, no; but it's a nasty place, sir.' "So Locksley put the nag into a canter, and then a gallop, holding him well in hand for all the brute's tearing excitement. And over the nullah he took him as clean as a whistle, Brown and I craning piteously on the wrong side of it. What's more, he brought him back. So you see, young ladies, I was justified in stating that he could ride a bit." Why wouldn't he take up the other man's challenge, then?"

"Bet you, you don't do it!' the other cried. asking him." He didn't answer.

"Bet you ten to one, you don't!' Silent still.

"And he said? -"

6

"Just because it was a challenge.' Taken up one too many, perhaps,' said I. Whereat "Bet you fifty to one!' No answer yet. he smiled, and tickled the chestnut's ears, and "I dare you to do it!'

"Locksley stood up with face on fire, about to speak, when a sudden recollection seemed to strike him, and with one effort he sat down again, saying, 'Just as you please then.' Brown didn't know what to make of it. He don't look like a fellow to show the white feather, does he?' he asked of me, when we left the mess-room that evening. I said, 'more 'tother '--an elegant expression I learnt from Florence."

"This is immensely interesting," Rosa said. "Go on, Willie, because you said you saw him take the leap."

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Why, yes, most unexpectedly. Brown couldn't get the thing out of his head, so he asked Locksley one morning whether he would like a mount for an early canter before breakfast.

set him plunging to distraction. What do you think of that, Miss Flo?"

"What you said you did, that he is a likely

lad."

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Always the case with ladies. Turn up their nose at horse-jockeys, and let themselves bewitched with noble horsemanship'!" "I don't care for his horsemanship." "For what then?"

"For his riding his own temper with the curb, as well as the chestnut."

"Catch Flo tripping in her moral highjinks if you can, Master Willie," laughed his younger cousin. "But I like him for the leap!"

"To be sure you do. And so does Florence, who has the pluck of a fighting-cock in her, for all her prudence and propriety. But I'll tell you what it is now: you are not to spoil this youngster when you have got him "Of all things,' quoth he. here neither with giddy good-nature, Miss "Like to try the chestnut? He's a rum Rosey; nor with grave good-nature, Miss customer.' Flo. Should merit get up in the market "He's a very fine horse, major. I wish I there can be no doubt I may be back as comcould afford to keep one; I would make a bid | mander-in-chief before long, and shall want for him.' him on my staff instead of your distaff-there

"Ah well! Wait till you've had a ride now!" on him or so.'

With that he got up, and assuring them "But if the major counted upon seeing his that the public business of the presidency was

at a stand-still during his absence from his office, departed, deferring till evening his final leave-taking.

CHAPTER XVII.

"So you have actually appointed an aidede-camp without consulting us! Is not that going a little too far, pappy dear?" asked Rosa, saucily. "Governors have a right to govern-to a certain extent; but there are

limits."

"Rosa!" admonished her mother.

But Buffer Barrington-I crave his excellency's pardon, the Right Honourable Frederick Barrington, C.B., and so forthsmiled, as a man will, at a dear daughter's playful waywardness, of whose dutifulness and love his heart need make no doubt. His excellency was a trifle pompous at times even with her excellency in person; but with his pet, Rosa, never.

Rosa laughed; but Florence answered her uncle again without discomfiture.

"He is young for such an appointment, yet he struck me as older than his years."

"But, pappy dear," insisted Rosa, "do tell us what made you distinguish him, whether Queen Florence has or not?"

"I have caused inquiries to be made, Rosa, which, I am bound to say, result in allowing me to entertain the highest anticipations of this young gentleman's ability and character." His excellency's style had suddenly grown official and full mouthed. Miss Rosa was not to be put off so.

"Yes, dear pappy, but your inquiries don't satisfy mine. What made you make any about a griffin and a stranger, eh?"

"Well, the fact is, that Lord Royston, the under secretary of state, a sort of cousin of ours, you know, incidentally mentioned—”

Rosa laughed aloud; even Florence caught the infection. His excellency reddened

"Don't cry till you are hurt, pussie; the slightly. aide-de-camp is not appointed yet."

"No; but the appointment is offered and, if accepted, Florence and I can hardly cancel it."

"Speak for yourself, Miss Rosey," cried her cousin; "I am all for autocracy under his excelleney's administration."

"There, pussie! Niece more dutiful than daughter. What a lesson for you! Florence, your sentiments are exemplary."

"Oh dear, yes, when your excellency's acts chance to meet her approval her queenship is all obedience. Offer the appointment to some officer under her sovereign displeasure-to Captain Stubbs of the Irregulars, for instance, and see her submission!"

"Am I to understand, then," asked the governor, much amused, "that the offer I have made is sanctioned by Miss Florence Barrington?

"Certainly," said Rosa.

"I was not aware that either of you knew young Locksley, much less that Florence had distinguished him from other youngsters."

"Indeed, uncle," answered Florence," Rosa's nonsense passes those limits of which she was speaking. I should not presume to canvass an act of yours in any case; and as to Mr. Locksley, he was introduced to me the other night for the first time."

"Don't be vexed with us, dear pappy," cried his daughter, putting her arms about his neck and her cheek to his; "it's not at you we are laughing-that is, not exactly; but at that absurd Willie. Is not that true, Florence?"

"Pray what did Willie say to make you laugh, not exactly at me, young ladies?"

"He said promotion by merit ended with him, I think; and that his successor's appointment was, in fact

"Was in fact what?"
"I think he said—a job.”

"Monstrous impertinent of Master Willie!" bounced out his excellency. But Rosa kept kissing and fondling him, so that his wrath should not get up real steam.

"Willie was only in fun, dear-you know his ridiculous way. He really thought you had done, as you always do, a wise thing in offering this to Mr. Locksley. He said he was a very likely lad,' and entertained us at length with his accomplishments. Didn't he, Flo? Tell this incredulous pappy what he said; he will believe you."

6

Thus invoked, Florence assured her uncle that Willie Sangster had spoken highly of the young officer in question. "Praise from him is worth something, you must admit, uncle." "You are right about that, Florence. “And made a favorable first impression eh? greater men than our griff might be proud That goes a long ways sometimes.” of Willie Sangster's good word."

"There, he's a dear, good, tame pappy | Ned by surprise almost as much as the ofnow again, not a tiger and a tyrant any fered appointment. His excellency had more," said incorrigible Rosey, with one or hinted nothing of his reasons for offering two additional kisses on his forehead. that, and Ned knew of none for this special invitation from the governor's wife.

He had

She had but just returned to her own seat, when an Indian servant, gorgeous and pic-arrived in India some time after the Barringturesque as an illustrated edition of the Arabian Nights, brought a note to his excellency, Sahib, with profound salaam. "Wonders will never cease," he exclaimed, upon reading it: "our young gentleman refuses."

"What young gentleman ?"

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Young Locksley, to be sure. He humbly solicits my excellency's permission to decline the undeserved and unexpected honor proposed, and to remain my excellency's obliged and obedient servant, etc. What do you think of that, young ladies ? "

"Think of it! Think it's downright rude to us, your excellency," cried Rosa, "whatever it may be to you."

"Perhaps Florence frightened him. She can put on an awful stateliness at times." Rosa clapped her hands after her own fashion.

"Depend upon it, pappy dear, you have hit the right nail on the head. Be candid with his excellency, Flo. Did or did you not own that on first introduction this admirable Crichton flinched from you?" "Nonsense, Rosa!"

"Tell the truth, Miss Flo," said her uncle with mock gravity. "Did you own he flinched, eh?"

tons, and it was true that he led, as Sangster had told the young ladies, an unusually retired and frugal life. When off duty he was still absorbed in the studies begun under the old major at Chatterham. Sangster he knew from having ridden out with him and Major Brown; but until Milward had introduced him to Florence Barrington he had no personal acquaintance with any other of their party.

The officers of the "Europeans" had received a collective invitation to the governor's ball; Ned, individually, had availed himself of it to get sight and speech of that little pig's-eyed Ghoorka, whose shawls had attracted the attention of the Misses Barrington. He had determined to lose no opportunity, from the very first, of familiarizing himself with the appearance, manners, and dialects of the varied races which throng the wide empire ruled or overshadowed by the great anomalous company whose commission he held. His only hesitation in declining the unexpected offer of promotion, arose from the thought that such opportunities would be multiplied and enlarged by accepting it. He had a good "think" over it, as in his happy, boyish days at Cransdale, the result of which had been what the governor had announced. No such "think" was needed, however, over the sudden invitation to his excellency's table.

Florence blushed crimson; but as she was one who never flinched herself, she answered, "I said I thought his eyes did, for a At the appointed hour Ned appeared in the second perhaps it was all my fancy."

"Oh, ho!" cried Barrington, in the same tone still, "this must be looked into. I cannot allow myself to be sneered out of my right of selection by Master Willie Sangster's impudence, nor this deserving young officer to be frowned out of his promotion by flashes from Florence's fine eyes, I can assure you. I have no time to investigate the matter this forenoon; but her excellency shall issue her commands for his attendance at dinner this evening, and we will try to fathom the secret of his refusal before accepting it as final. Mind you girls are on your best behavior."

unmitigated misery of full regimentals.

The Right Honorable F. Barrington, spite of his pomposity, was a kindly and thorough gentleman. His first few formal sentences set the young man at ease about the reception accorded to his refusal, though they might have shaken his determination to abide by it. For they gave him to understand the appointment was still open to him, and almost condescended to apologize for the abruptness of the offer.

"I am aware, my dear sir, that in forming an almost personal relation such as this there should be mutual acquaintance with character and disposition. Circumstances The summons to Government House took had not allowed me hitherto to afford you