"Well, Frank, I have kept my promise, and, in a day or two, I shall
have a captain's commission for you. Before, however, I place myself
under an obligation to Lord Carhampton, let me propose an alternative
for your selection."

I shook my head. "And what may that be, sir?"

"A wife."

"A wife!" I exclaimed.

"Yes, that is the plain offer. You shall have, however, a free liberty
of election: read that letter."

I threw my eye over it hastily. It was from the Lord Lieutenant's
secretary, to say that his excellency felt pleasure in placing a
company in the ---- militia, at Colonel Hamilton's disposal. "There is
the road to fame open as a turnpike trust. Come hither, Constance, and
here is the alternative." She looked at me archly, I caught her to my
heart, and kissed her red lips.

"Father!"

"Well, Frank."

"You may write a polite letter to the Castle, and decline the
commission."

Half a century has passed, but ninety-eight is still, by oral
communications, well known to the Irish peasant; and would that its