"Mr. Edward Hunter, sir."
"And who is he?"
"Captain Hunter's cousin."
"Oh, aye—very well: who next?"
"Captain Scott, sir."
"Who is he—another cousin of Captain Hunter, eh?"
"No, sir; only a friend of his."
"I thought so," said her father, chuckling.
"Mary was surrounded with red-coats the whole evening," observed Mrs. Edwards. "I must say I should have been as well pleased to have seen her dancing with some of our old friends and neighbours, and less taken up with those soldiers."
It was lucky for Mary that her father had been winning at cards, as he would otherwise, very probably, have been as much offended as her mother seemed to be on hearing of her conduct. He now, however, good-humouredly took her part—only saying—