sense.

Ida wriggled-"You are hurting me, let me go, Eveleen!"

"Not unless you are a good child." Ida looked anything but good. By dint of much twisting and wriggling, and many protestations of discomfort, and some signs of coming tears, she gained her liberty, with strict conditions, which, however, it was doubful whether Ida on her part considered binding. She ran away up the path in the rocks, and was no sooner out of sight than we heard her little wicked, shrill voice say

"Oh, Captain Dudley, are you really going to marry Cousin Lilian ? and may I be your bridesmaid ?"

Then a laugh, and another voice saying"Now just come here, and tell me what put that idea in this little head of yours?' "Eveleen said so."

Then no more laughter, but a sudden change of tone, and the words, spoken quickly

"Eveleen said that? what did she say?" "She said that, or something like it; and I said I would ask you.'

T

"What else did she say?"

"She said I must not ask you; she saidbut here she is, just round this corner-come and tell her yourself."

But Captain Dudley must have turned sharply and gone back up the pathway, and if he spoke again the words were lost in the distance.

In a short while Geraldine had gone after Ida; had pounced upon her and had led her off screaming and struggling before her mother, with the request that her act of wilful disobedience might not go unpunished. The sentence was one of banishment to the nursery for the rest of the afternoon. But by-and-bye, Captain Dudley, always an ally of Ida's, found her up there, and having learnt from her the cause of offence, went and appealed to her mother for a speedy end to the exile, which, with the usual indulgence shown to Ida, was readily granted.

Captain Dudley seemed to make a point of saying to Geraldine, in my hearing, that he could not help feeling grateful to the child if her nonsense had in any way helped to clear up a great misunderstanding.

October 5th.-Kevin and Geraldine have taken me into their confidence. I know that they have always cared for one another, and could guess that without pledge or promise each has understood the other since they parted last May.

A fugitive rebel, with a price set on his head, with neither fortune nor future prospects, Kevin has, in these last days, felt bound to keep silence; and yet, in spite of himself, he has at last spoken. Geraldine is, of course, unchanged; she has loved, and loves truly-to her failure and danger make no difference. But with her guardian it is otherwise. Successful or unsuccessful, Kevin O'Rossa, the rebel, would meet with disapproval from Mr. Roche. Even if he dared, Kevin could not speak of it to him now, since Mr. Roche does not know he is here. But Geraldine, ever hopeful, thinks she can win him over when the time shall come.

CHAPTER XXI.

October 6th.-A despatch has arrived from the Colonel of the regiment with instructions to Captain Dudley to hold himself and his little company in readiness to leave this on receiving further notice. Roderick has been granted sick leave, and will remain with us. The news came while we were all at breakfast. Father and mother and Roderick and Geraldine and Lilian and Ida-and even quiet old Mr. Roche raised a chorus of regret.

Little, wild Ida was afterwards found sobbing for grief-Captain Dudley was trying to comfort her, but she was inconsolable at the thought of no more rides down the passages on horseback, no more such exciting games of play as those joined in by Captain Dudley, no one to beg for holidays for her, and to rub out her sums, and play pitch-and-toss with her spelling-book.

" We

"But why cannot you say you will not go?" she asked, through her tears. are all so sorry-it is not I only.

Mamma

says she is dreadfully sorry, too, and I am sure papa does not want you to go. They all told me just now that they were every one of them just as sorry as I am, but that it was of no use to cry about it; they all said that except Eveleen, she said nothing, so I suppose she does not care, but I care, and all the others care, and want you to stop -so why must you go?"

"Because I am a soldier, little Ida, and must obey orders. There is not one of you who is as sorry as I am that I have to go.'

So he says, but I do not believe it is true. I am afraid I know who it is who is more sorry. But no one else shall know her name, no one but my old book-friend shall ever guess how dull and depressed, how very, very miserable she has been feeling all the morning.

Another disagreeable thing has happened to-day. Geraldine, in a careless moment, let slip some word which showed Kevin that Captain Dudley is aware that he is in the house. Directly she had done it she sent a frightened apprehensive look towards me and made an attempt to turn the subject. But