THE COLONEI/S STORY. 123 



had been in the bottom of the lake. By Jove ! no loss, 

 short of the death of a friend, could have given us all so much 

 uneasiness. They were my daughter's companions by day, 

 and my protectors at night. Heigh ho! Come, Sir, pass the 

 wine/ Tears stood in the old gentleman's eyes as he spoke 

 of his unhappy favourites, and from the valuable properties of 

 the lost dogs, it was not surprising that their death occasioned 

 so much regret to the family. 



" We joined the ladies in the drawing-room. After tea Mr. 

 Morden took a bedroom-candle, and apologised for retiring. 

 Old habits best suit old people, Captain ; but I leave you 

 with the ladies, who will sit up till cock-crow, if you please :' 

 and bidding us a good night, he departed. 



" ' Emily/ said young Morden, ' you are still thinking of 

 your favourites ; well, I will ride the country over, till I 

 find you a handsome dog. Julia, hand me that violin from 

 the piano, and Captain Dwyer will dance a reel with you and 

 Emily/ 



" ' Heavens ! who is at the window ?' exclaimed Miss 

 Morden, suddenly ; * it looked like that nasty beggarman 

 who has been haunting the house and grounds these three 

 days. Ah, Wolf and Sailor! had you been living, that 

 vagabond would not have ventured here at this late hour/ 

 Henry Morden had left the room on hearing his cousin's 

 exclamation, but soon returned, assuring the lady that the 

 beggar was a creature of her imagination ; he had searched 

 the shrubbery and flower-garden, and no mendicant was to be 

 found in either. 



" The alarm was cpeedily forgotten, and we danced reels 

 till supper was announced. The doors were locked, the win- 

 dows fastened, the ladies wished us good night, and retired to 

 their respective chambers. 



" Henry and I remained for some time in the eating-room ; 

 the clock struck twelve, and young Morden conducted me to 

 my apartment, and took his leave. 



" I felt a strange disinclination to go to bed, and would 

 have given anything for a book. For temporary employment, 

 I unlocked my gun-case, put my fowling-piece together, and 

 examined whether my servant had sent all necessary apparatus 

 along with me. I opened the window- cur tains. The moon 

 a full bright harvest moon was shining gloriously on the lawn 

 and lake : I gazed on the sparkling surface of the waters till 



