“Then consider the matter settled.  You will not be required to join your regiment until six months after your name appears in the Gazette.  I will write to headquarters and likewise see to your outfit.  Of course, you will remain here until after New Year’s, and help us to keep up Christmas in the good old English style, for probably it may be the last of the sort you will see for some years; but whatever trials and difficulties you may have to contend with out there, you may rest assured that when the time arrives for you to have your troop, the purchase money shall not be wanting.  And now,” continued he, as Arthur was about to reply, “send Reynolds to me, I wish to see him on some matters before I retire, and you seek Edith and let her know that you have accepted a commission in the army, as I have not mentioned a word to her concerning it.  Please make my excuses to the dear girl for not joining her in the drawing room,” then shaking him cordially by the hand, wished him good night.

On entering the drawing room, Arthur found Mrs. Fraudhurst poring over her novel and Edith standing by the French window, looking out upon the Terrace which was now bathed in a flood of pale moonlight.  She was wondering what her uncle could have to say to Arthur to detain him so long:  she had so much to ask about her ponies and her grayhounds and improvements in her flower gardens, &c.  He delivered Sir Jasper’s message, then asked her to step out on the Terrace with him.  Hastily throwing a mantle around her, she was ready to accompany him.  Gently drawing her arm within his own, they passed out of the room, and stepped on to the Balcony that ran along the entire length of the South of the building and joined the broad Terrace below by means of a flight of marble steps.  At the extreme end this Terrace overlooked the rich partierre which, although late in the season, still sent forth its delicious perfume, borne upwards on the soft breeze of the evening.

“He has caught at the Indian bait.  We have hooked our fish; our next care is to have him safely landed.  The poison of love has not, as yet, developed itself.  The Scarlet Fever will quench all other maladies, at least until the seas will divide them,” and with a self-satisfied smile upon her still pretty features, Mrs. Fraudhurst betook her self to her own apartments to concoct an epistle for the information of Ralph Coleman.

For nearly an hour did the fair young creature and the youth, who had ever been to her as a brother, pace up and down the moonlit Terrace.  Arthur related all that passed between him and her uncle.  She was as much delighted as himself at the prospect which had thus suddenly opened before him; the only drawback was that he would be absent so long from Vellenaux.

“But you will write frequently, and come home whenever you can procure leave of absence.  And to think that you will not leave us for three months.  We will have a merry time this Christmas, Arthur, will we not? and wind up with a fancy ball on the eve of your departure.  Oh, it will be delightful,” said the excited girl, carried away by the idea of such an event.