that woman never heard anything of the kind before. The General, no
doubt, did it by letter."

"And how was it that she changed her mind?"

"Why; I got up, put my arm round her waist, and told her that we
would be off to Naples. I'm blest if she didn't give me a knock in
the ribs that nearly sent me backwards. She took my breath away, so
that I couldn't speak to her."

"And then--"

"Oh, there was nothing more. Of course I saw how it was. So she
walked off one way and I the other. On the whole I consider that I
am well out of it."

"And so do I," said Mackinnon, very gravely. "But if you will allow
me to give you my advice, I would suggest that it would be well to
avoid such mistakes in future."

"Upon my word," said O'Brien, excusing himself, "I don't know what a
man is to do under such circumstances. I give you my honour that I
did it all to oblige her."

We then decided that Mackinnon should convey to the injured lady the
humble apology of her late admirer. It was settled that no detailed
excuses should be made. It should be left to her to consider
whether the deed which had been done might have been occasioned by
wine, or by the folly of a moment,--or by her own indiscreet
enthusiasm. No one but the two were present when the message was