As I had distinguished myself not a little during the war, General
Lake sent me up with despatches to Calcutta, where Lord Wellesley
received me with the greatest distinction. Fancy my surprise, on
going to a ball at Government House, to meet my old friend Jowler;
my trembling, blushing, thrilling delight, when I saw Julia by his
side!

Jowler seemed to blush too when he beheld me. I thought of my
former passages with his daughter. "Gagy my boy," says he, shaking
hands, "glad to see you. Old friend, Julia--come to tiffin--
Hodgson's pale--brave fellow Gagy." Julia did not speak, but she
turned ashy pale, and fixed upon me her awful eyes! I fainted
almost, and uttered some incoherent words. Julia took my hand,
gazed at me still, and said, "Come!" Need I say I went?

I will not go over the pale ale and currie-bhaut again! but this I
know, that in half-an-hour I was as much in love as I ever had
been: and that in three weeks I--yes, I--was the accepted lover of
Julia! I did not pause to ask where were the one hundred and
twenty-four offers? why I, refused before, should be accepted now?
I only felt that I loved her, and was happy!

* * *

One night, one memorable night, I could not sleep, and, with a
lover's pardonable passion, wandered solitary through the City of
Palaces until I came to the house which contained my Julia. I
peeped into the compound--all was still; I looked into the
verandah--all was dark, except a light--yes, one light--and it was