country girl," etc. etc., placing herself, as if for protection, on
the side of the Captain. That gentleman looked also very angry; but
whether at the sight of innocence so outraged, or the insolence of
the Corporal for daring to help himself first, we cannot say. "Hark
ye, Mr. Brock," he cried very fiercely, "I will suffer no such
liberties in my presence: remember, it is only my condescension
which permits you to share my bottle in this way; take care I don't
give you instead a taste of my cane." So saying, he, in a
protecting manner, placed one hand round Mrs. Catherine's waist,
holding the other clenched very near to the Corporal's nose.

Mrs. Catherine, for HER share of this action of the Count's,
dropped another curtsey and said, "Thank you, my Lord." But
Galgenstein's threat did not appear to make any impression on Mr.
Brock, as indeed there was no reason that it should; for the
Corporal, at a combat of fisticuffs, could have pounded his
commander into a jelly in ten minutes; so he contented himself by
saying, "Well, noble Captain, there's no harm done; it IS an honour
for poor old Peter Brock to be at table with you, and I AM sorry,
sure enough."

"In truth, Peter, I believe thou art; thou hast good reason, eh,
Peter? But never fear, man; had I struck thee, I never would have
hurt thee."

"I KNOW you would not," replied Brock, laying his hand on his heart
with much gravity; and so peace was made, and healths were drunk.
Miss Catherine condescended to put her lips to the Captain's glass;
who swore that the wine was thus converted into nectar; and although
the girl had not previously heard of that liquor, she received the