curring to the conversation of the evening, gave his assent to the old axiom, that "ignorance is bliss. Were Marriot but as well informed as I am, how different would be his feelings this night!" Miss Percy made some attempt to extenuate her lively friend's mode of stating things. "It cannot be," said Fortescue; "generous and noble as your mind is, Miss Percy, it cannot enter into the frivolities which sway others; though still, I confess to you, that I was weak enough for a moment to feel hurt at the patience with which you listened to Miss Panton;" and then, as if impelled to throw off the weight which oppressed him, "had I not studied your sentiments, I had remained happy.” Charlotte felt that the arm on which she leaned trembled as he articulated the last sentence, in a deep suppressed voice. Something he added, which she lost in the flourish of trumpets and grounding of arms, as the Governor-General marshalled the way to the Marble-hall. CHAPTER IX. An Aid-de-Camp's a happy dog, And drinks his loll at leisure. Bow, wow, wow. MRS. RUSSELL kept close by her party at table, and they found themselves seated opposite to Mrs. Ponsonby and hers. Captain Bowlow, one of the aide-de-camps of the Commander in Chief, was in attendance. His situation, Mr. Montressor informed them, justified the epithet which Captain Hall, in his song, entitled, "All the dogs in India," bestows upon such luxurious retainers, in opposition to the Adjutant, whom he calls "a busy dog," or still worse, "A subaltern's a hard push'd dog, Can scarce make both ends meet." But with that he has nothing to do. "There he sits," continued Montressor, "labouring in man. his vocation. I do not know a more useful His accomplishments are as numerous as they are various. None can present strangers at a levee, do the honours of a public breakfast, or hand ladies to and from their carriages, with a better grace. The active, observant, indefatigable Captain Bowlow provides for every one's accommodation. When Lady Westhorn shops, Bowlow is in attendance; when Sir Godfrey wants a general order, or any piece of information, Bowlow looks it out for him. You may see him running to find Mrs. Proudfoot's shawl, or to announce that Lady Shindly's carriage stops the way. When any of his friends wish to find a partner for their protegées, Bowlow is the man. You might observe him labouring through the dance this evening with Miss Clatterton, though she was so heavy in hand that he could hardly drag her after him; and again with Miss Golightly, who kicked and plunged at such a rate, that it would be impossible to keep her in time without the help of heel-ropes. He is a critic in female fashions, and can draw a new pattern as well as the inge nious artist who embellishes Ackermann's Magazine. He can, moreover, cut it out, and is commander in chief of Lady Westhorn's durzees. He plays the flute, cuts paper, and arranges shells and feathers in the most tasteful patterns. But in this list of his accomplishments I must not forget the principal, which are his theatrical talents. Nobody comes near him in female characters; his Lady Teazle and Lady Becket, are inimitable; he gets them up better than any man who ever trode the Chowringhee boards." "You have described a really useful character, Mr. Montressor," said Elizabeth, smiling; "one whose talents, as they are in constant requisition, must have daily exercise." "Every one who would acquire fame, must do something to earn it," replied Fortescue, making an effort to join with gaiety in the conversation. "We dress for fame," looking at Mrs. Ponsonby; "we strive for fame," with a glance at Bowlow; "and we hunt for fame," nodding to Montressor. Captain Bowlow had yet another good qua lity, which was his readiness to oblige his friends with the earliest intelligence, even before it had found its way to an extra Gazette; and he took the present opportunity of displaying it. After asking Miss Percy to take wine, "he was happy to inform her, that an express had arrived a few minutes before they came down stairs, bringing good news from the army in the field.” Eliza beth's colour rose to her temples, and in an instant after ebbed so fast that Mr. Russell, fearing she was ill, handed a glass of water. eagerly listened as Bowlow continued. Charlotte "We have fought with our usual gallantry, and carried all before us, though we met with a slight rebuff in the beginning. Colonel Howard led his men bravely, and drove the enemy from one of their strong stockades, with little loss on our part. No officer killed." Elizabeth breathed more freely. "Only one or two wounded;" again her countenance fell. Charlotte, tenderly alive to the effect produced upon her sister by this conversation, and fearing to what further explanation might lead, told Mrs. Russell, "that she thought Elizabeth, overcome by the heat |