half India and all Russia from the pensioner, captured the whole of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and various states of South America.  Almost the entire continent of Europe succumbed to Tryphena.  Tryphosa fought doggedly, and encouraged Ben to continue the unequal contest, but the constable and Serlizer yielded up card after card with the muteness of despair.  Mr. Maguffin was transported with joy, when his partner counted up their united books, amounting to more than those of both the other pairs put together.

“I’se larned moah joggrify this heah bressid night nor I’d git in six mumfs er schoolin’.  Hit makes me feel kind er smaht all ober, but not smaht enough foh ter ekal you, Miss Trypheeny, ner yoh pah.  Ain’t he jest a smaht man, foolin’ me on Typernosties and Gasternickle, words I nevah knowed afoah, yah! yah! yah!”

A new game was in progress, when a tap came to the inside door, and, immediately thereafter, a figure in a dressing gown appeared, partly thrust into the half-opened entrance.  “Do you know Tryphena,” said a pretty voice, “that it is very late, long past midnight, and you two girls have to be up by six o’clock at the latest!  Take Sarah with you, and go to bed.  Toner, you know Timotheus’ room, and had better get some rest, which I am sure you need.”  As the four parties addressed somewhat sheepishly departed, Mrs. Carmichael turned to the remaining card players, who were standing, corporal Rigby at military attention, and said, with a somewhat tremulous accent:  “There’s a large fire out in the Lake Settlement direction, but I cannot bear to awaken Mr. Carruthers or the other two gentlemen, for he is very tired, and they are much older and require rest also.  Perhaps, Maguffin, you will be kind enough to saddle a horse quietly, and find out where it is and see that my father and Mr. Coristine are safe.”

“I’se ony too pleased ter obey yoh commandemens, marm, wif percision an’ dispatches,” answered the coloured gentleman, hasting stablewards.

“As constable, ma’am, if I may be allowed to speak,” said Corporal Rigby, saluting for the second time, “as constable, it is my duty to be present at all township fires, for the purpose of keeping order and directing operations.  I shall, therefore, with your permission, ma’am, respectfully take my leave.”

“It is a long way, constable, and you and I are not so young as we once were—­”

“Pardon an old soldier’s interruption, ma’am, but you are as young as ever you were, the youngest married lady I know.”

“Thank you, corporal!  What I meant to say was that you had better get Maguffin to saddle a horse for you, as the distance is great.”

“You are very good, ma’am, but I never served in the cavalry.  I belonged to Her Majesty’s Foot Guards, ma’am, and could not possibly insult the memory of my old comrades lying in Crimean graves, by putting the legs, that a merciful Providence furnished me to march with, across the back of a horse.  Had I even served in the Artillery or in the Engineers, I might have been able to comply with your kind request.  Being what I have been, I must proceed without delay to the seat of the conflagration.  I have the honour, ma’am, of saluting you.  Good night!”