into the charge of an ostler, and to present his elbow to the ladies
as they alighted from the clarence carriage.

What this jovial party ate for dinner at the "Star and Garter" need
not here be set down. If they did not drink champagne I am very
much mistaken. They were as merry as any four people in
Christendom; and between the bewildering attentions of the perfumer,
and the manly courtesy of the tailor, Morgiana very likely forgot
the gallant Captain, or, at least, was very happy in his absence.

At eight o'clock they began to drive homewards. "WON'T you come
into the carriage?" said Morgiana to Eglantine, with one of her
tenderest looks; "Dick can ride the horse." But Archibald was too
great a lover of equestrian exercise. "I'm afraid to trust anybody
on this horse," said he with a knowing look; and so he pranced away
by the side of the little carriage. The moon was brilliant, and,
with the aid of the gas-lamps, illuminated the whole face of the
country in a way inexpressibly lovely.

Presently, in the distance, the sweet and plaintive notes of a bugle
were heard, and the performer, with great delicacy, executed a
religious air. "Music, too! heavenly!" said Morgiana, throwing up
her eyes to the stars. The music came nearer and nearer, and the
delight of the company was only more intense. The fly was going at
about four miles an hour, and the "Emperor" began cantering to time
at the same rapid pace.

"This must be some gallantry of yours, Mr. Woolsey," said the
romantic Morgiana, turning upon that gentleman. "Mr. Eglantine
treated us to the dinner, and you have provided us with the music."