i64 HIGHLAND SPORT 



excuse me, for I am in a hurry to start. Pray order everything 

 you want, and take my word for it the Colonel will be with you 

 again the day after to-morrow." We wished her success, while 

 concluding to stay on and see the end of the adventure. 



Two days later a letter came from the Colonel, the contents 

 of which were as follows — 



" My dear friends, Mrs. Lovewell and I hope to be with 

 you in time for dinner to-morrow. Will you both do me the 

 favour of never alluding to the events of the past few days? 

 I am cured of my folly, and regret it deeply. — Yours sincerely, 

 SoFTwoRD Lovewell." 



This being duly read to Auldjoe, I proposed we should 

 forget the Colonel's escapade, and stay our time out, and there- 

 upon he delivered himself as follows — 



" Well, sir, the concatenation of circumstances has been 

 wonderfully in the Colonel's favour, while the clever and 

 generous behaviour of Mrs. Lovewell most fully deserves 

 recognition ; therefore, as I hardly think any one could for a 

 moment suppose that I could countenance immorality, and 

 as there is a great stock of grouse left, I am prepared to 

 agree with your proposition." 



I then heard him muttering something about Bessie and 

 Nature's endowments. That young lady having been fairly 

 caught, was consigned to the care of some relatives at a 

 distance, so the Colonel and his wife returned without her, 

 and we finished our holiday with no further troubles or adven- 

 tures. 



Since that day Auldjoe and I have passed many happy 

 shooting seasons together, while as each " twelfth " comes 

 round five fast friends, of which Mrs. Lovewell is by no means 

 the least, meet under the roof of Monnielack Lodge ; the 

 Colonel, Auldjoe, myself, and Donal make up the quintette. 



Bessie has married and gone to the Colonies ; but since that 

 day all the female servants at Monnielack have been remark- 

 able alike for their age and ugliness. 



