having been suddenly recalled to England by important private affairs.

Mrs. Archer had remained to look after Mr. Talbot's interests at Madras; and during his residence in England,-which was likely to be prolonged, and to require much of his time in London,-it was determined that Louisa should take up her residence beneath. our roof.

I was delighted beyond measure at this arrangement, which might afford me the opportunity of repaying in some, though in a very slight degree, the many kindnesses. and attentions I had experienced whilst under their roof, during my long illness on returning from Rangoon.

My kind and gentle sister, delighted to renew the friendship of childhood with her charming cousin, entered fully into my feelings and my views; in short, Louisa Talbot soon wound herself round the hearts of all, for there was no resisting the fascination of her manners, and of that frank, open-hearted, joyous disposition, the attractions of which not even a cynic could withstand.

Those early ties were renovated, and the warmest friendship and affection sprang up

between "cousin Loo" and my sister Jane; whose gentle heart began however now, to throb with warmer emotions even, than those offered at Friendship's shrine. The object of those emotions may readily be guessed: 'twas my good friend Willoughby who had stolen the pure virgin heart of Jane.

I had seen much of Willoughby since our return together from the East, and perceived without displeasure a growing attachment between him and my sister, which was not, however, apparently declared till Willoughby had succeeded in obtaining by purchase a Company unattached.

Captain Willoughby then mustered courage to show his colours: Jane soon "struck" hers, and in accepting Willoughby could not have chosen a better man or worthier protector during life. Only one objection existed on the part of my family, who disliked the idea of Jane being ever dragged about the world: subjected to the many sufferings and privations of a Regimental Officer's wife.

That objection was soon removed: Willoughby, at no time a "red-hot" soldier,contented with his newly-acquired honours and an amiable and loving wife, resolved to forego

for the future, the pomp and circumstance of glorious war: no longer to seek the "bubble reputation"-but withdraw to his paternal acres and his farm, there, to enjoy the prospect of real happiness in undisturbed retirement and repose.

These incidents occurred between the period of my admission to the Senior Department at Sandhurst, and the time, when I obtained the certificate of qualification for which I had fagged so hard, that I still trusted might eventually prove conducive to the object I had in view, and on which continued to rest all my future hopes.

I now bade a final adieu to those familiar collegiate scenes of my boyhood and my youth, and did so, I must admit, without the least feeling of compunction or regret.

Lord Seymour and his family happened at this time to be in town; my first step was therefore to proceed thither, to seek my beloved Agnes-now more beautiful, more admired, and more sought after than ever-in order to lay the result of my successful labours at her feet; and amply did I feel repaid for all the toil, anxiety and trouble I had undergone, by the sweet smile of satisfaction and kind

words of affectionate congratulation, she then lavished in no sparing terms.

I next hastened to my home; where I was, —as expected,-received with open arms.

Willoughby and his wife were still absent on their continental "bridal tour ;" and Louisa Talbot, by her filial care and attention to my mother, made the absence of my sister far less felt than it would otherwise have been ; whilst with the Admiral she was as great a favourite as with everybody else: indeed my fair cousin "Loo" appeared to possess the happy art of winning golden opinions from all, wherever she chanced to go!

Mr. Talbot had at last satisfactorily arranged those affairs, the settlement of which had occasioned his present visit to England; but it was necessary that he should now return to Madras, in order to make up that term of service, which being completed, would entitle him to the advantage of the retiring fund.

As the time now likewise approached when I should be obliged to resume my military duties in the East,-I applied for and obtained permission to find my own passage; and had the satisfaction of being able to secure it on

board the same vessel in which Mr. Talbot and Louisa were to embark.

About to be again separated from my family, it was consolatory to continue with such proved and valued friends, for it was impossible to know Mr. Talbot and not love and appreciate the benevolence of a disposition which was seldom ever ruffled by those cares. and annoyances, to which all are liable at times.

For Louisa Talbot I continued to feel all the attachment of a brother; an attachment perhaps even stronger than common brotherly love it was certainly the purest emanation of that Platonic friendship,-the existence of which has been doubted, and which has so often been sneered at by certain sceptics,—that I then felt for my sweet cousin: a friendship heightened by a sense of gratitude for all her kind attentions to me in times of suffering and of sickness; by admiration for the many noble qualities and personal attractions she possessed in so eminent a degree; an attachment which but for another all-absorbing object—an object then scarcely ever absent from my thoughtsmight perhaps have readily merged into the warmer sentiment of love!