frames and rosy health. That evening the younger sat up to supper; the elder drank their brother's health in weak negus; and the juniors were made merry with hot elder wine! CHAPTER III. "Ye generous chiefs! on whom the immortals lay On whom your aids, your country's hopes depend; POPE'S HOMER. THE winter to young De Bohun passed very agreeably over. He had done with those "confounded books," as he termed them; his dogs, his gun, and Jumper, were the objects of his chief consideration. He shot lots of wild-ducks, brought home quantities of game, and from morning to night was occupied with one sporting pursuit or another. He wandered about, over hill and over dale, happy as the day was long. The stern realities of life he had not entered; he saw the future only through dazzling colours, and Hope whispered her flattering tales. About this time Godfrey unobservedly, yet very minutely, studied the character and disposition of his son. He watched every turn of his mind, noted the most trivial things, from which he sought to form a correct judgment. He saw in him a spirit, wild, daring, and impetuous, yet generous and kind. Godfrey was at length convinced that Moreton would be an honour to the service, and if a field for distinction were given, he would be distinguished. He saw, too, the nice management which he required, and remembered with an inward acknowledgment the verity of Mrs. De Bohun's opinions. It was now, thought Captain De Bohun, time that Moreton should decide upon a profession, and it were better that he should make the selection of the army himself, than that any appearance of persuasion should be exerted in order to gain that wished-for determination. One day, after dinner, Godfrey took up the paper, and saw that the regiment was stationed at Canterbury. He then laid it on his knee, was for a few moments abstracted, and said to Mrs. De Bohun, "I think I shall go to Canterbury one of these days, Susan, and perhaps take Moreton. He has never seen any soldiers, save the recruiting party at the neighbouring fairs. He would be taken with the imposing sight of a well-equipped regiment. When he sees the dashing officers, in their smart uniforms, he will sigh to be one of them-I know he will. The colonel of the regiment now stationed there was one of the friends of my youth, and, if I forget not, we once made out that some degree of relationship existed between us. Yes! I'll go, and Moreton shall accompany me." "I think it proper for you to take him, my dear, as it is desirable that young folks should see something of the world." "True, wife-true." That evening, after supper, Godfrey mentioned the contemplated journey. Moreton was asked if he would like to go, and it is scarcely necessary to add the youth at once consented. "Well, well, then next Wednesday we will try to get off. I wish to be as indulgent as my narrow means admit.” The young sportsman was desired by his father to knock down a goodly hamper of game, which they might take with them for the colonel. This was a pleasing task. Moreton went out two or three consecutive days, and the proceeds made up a package well worthy of acceptance, The wished-for morning arrived. At an early hour Simon was at the hall-door, with the Corporal and the phaeton, in order to convey the two De Bohuns to the "CrossRoads' Inn," where they would take the "Tally-ho." After the portmanteaus, the huge hamper of game, coats, umbrellas, &c., had been put in and on the vehicle, after the ladies had one and all assembled on the steps, and given kisses and farewells, Simon brought his mouth to a contracted focus, gave an admonitory chirp, cracked his whip, |