CHAPTER V.

MR WARD, meantime, was far too delicate a person to ask Reginald questions about an affair such as that he really supposed to be occupying the best part of his young guest's thoughts, and the old gentleman was deceived, perhaps, by the very strength of his own wishes, in regard to it, as well as by external trifles, which, in this situation of mind, he was too ready to consider as indicative of something better than mere civility and politeness. In a word, Reginald's kind host and patron was beginning to entertain very sanguine hopes of seeing a speedy and effectual termination to the youth's troubles-a termination a thousand times more delightful than any voyage to the East Indies could ever have presented.

It was under the influence of such feelings that the old gentleman amused himself with devising a fete champetre to be given at a little villa which

he had on the Thames, not far above Putney Bridge, and at which he proposed to assemble all Reginald's friends, and a considerable number of his own more elderly associates besides. He mentioned this little scheme to Miss Catline and her mother, and had the satisfaction to find them both delighted with it. "It would be so charming-they had never seen anything of the rural scenery in the neighbourhood of London-it would be something so new and so pretty. And then they could go by water, and return the other way in the evening." In short, the whole arrangements were soon perfected. The ladies were to go up early in the day in a barge belonging to the India House-They were to carry musicians along with them. After walking about the grounds, there would be a dejeuné a la fourchette at three o'clock, and the young people might spend the evening in dancing, while billiards or cards amused the senior part of the assemblage. The weather was extremely fine for the season-the skies were clear, and the gardens were just blooming into beauty. All concerned looked forward with pleasure to the variety of a gay day out of London, among

lawns, and groves, and streams. And when the day came, and it was seen that the sky was serene and unclouded, expectation and anticipation were at their height.

This party had been arranged ere Mr Ward gave any notice of it to Reginald, and it will easily be believed that he was far from contemplating the matter with much of that enthusiasm which his kind-hearted friend had imagined the mention of such an affair, at such a time, would kindle in his bosom. However, Reginald entered into the thing with a good grace, and accompanied Lady Catline and her immediate party in their barge. There could not have been a more auspicious day-there was all the freshness of spring in the air-the river was perfectly smooth, and perfumes floated around them from the opening leaves and flowers. Reginald, almost in spite of himself, was happy-happier than he had been for months. Hope shone for him in the shining sky—his imagination flew from Thames to Ganges; and the presence of Barbara Catline could not dispel fond dreams of Ellen Hesketh.

When they reached the villa, he exerted himself, as was proper, in shewing every attention in his power to Mr Ward's visitors. The dejeuné was served in two marquees pitched in the flowergarden, and he presided in one of these, while Mr Ward did the honours of the other. Old Macdonald, who sat near Reginald, having been sharpened by the breeze of the river, did infinite justice to the refection, and the champagne he swallowed, had so benign an effect upon him, that he was the first to propose sending for the fiddles, and even exhibited his own agility in several successive dances. The novelty of the scene, the brightness of the sun, and the freshness of the air, diffused a kindred species of exultation through all the company. Never was a gayer meeting-never did lighter steps bound on painted floor beneath the blaze of lamps. The music never stopped. Scotch reels were mingled with country dances, and the youthful couples, when they retired from the echoing turf, might recruit their vigour for the next set by reposing or loitering among the coolest alleys and the most fragrant bowers.

Miss Catline was dancing with the Cornet of

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the Blues. The exercise had flushed her cheek— the Cornet was capering very gallantly.

"Just look at them," says old Macdonald, taking his station close to the garden-chair from which Lady Catline was surveying the brilliant scene, and handing her at the same time a salver of ices-"Just look, my leddy, I'm sure it's enough to do onybody's heart good. I declare it's a bonny sight."

"Indeed, Mr Macdonald," murmured her ladyship—" indeed 'tis a sweet evening, and this is a charming little spot; and Mr Ward is a charming old gentleman. Upon my word, he exerts himself as much as if these young people were children of his own, and yet you know he's an old bachelor, after all."

"Bachelor or no bachelor, my leddy, wha could look at thae bonnie bairns without being pleesured with the very sight o' them? Puir things, how light their hearts are now !-The warld's a' brightness to them, that's weel seen-Aweel, aweel, let them e'en enjoy themselves-Whatfor should they no?-They're young folk; daffin's natural to them. How could we expect it should