"Well, and looking beautiful as ever."
"Did she charge you with any message to me?"
"None, Sir Basil. Zounds! none, at least, that I can remember," replied the major, colouring.
"Is there any word of her being married yet?" I asked, having a natural anxiety to know who might next be proprietor of my paternal acres. "So handsome a girl, and so rich, too, should certainly not lack offers."
"Nor does she, 'sdeath—nor does she." replied Shirley, as a shade of vexation mingled with his perpetual smile.
"Aha, major," thought I; "an unsuccessful wooer—eh!"—"And so you have no message for me?"
"None; but I have just delivered one of more importance than that of a London belle—one for the army."
"Indeed!"
"Yes; we are to take the field at once, and advance into Hesse."
"Against whom?"