THE COLONEL'S STORY. 151 



animals could have got to it is a mystery ; the steward 

 declares the key never left his possession. I would 

 give a hundred guineas the meal 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. 



