My Lord The King;

really mean to go to Antwerp to-morrow , when does your lordship intend to return , because , as it happens , I h id a letter from Mrs . Mennell this morning , in which she says she hopes I shall accompany you on your return home , and that she expects

you this week ¥ ' " Oh , ah ! Maud ' s birthday ! Nice girl , Maud , they want me to marry her ; she has money you know , and likes me rather , I believe—you ' ve not seen her yet , I think ?"

"No ; I ' ve not had the pleasure . " " Well , you will then ; so I advise you to make play , old man , and bowl me out if you can . She ' s very good looking , a dear girl , and has £ 500 or £ 600 a-year of her ownI know . "

, " Thanks for the recommendation , but I ' m afraid I should have no chance . " "Very possibly not , my dear fellow , when I am in the way ; but as I am going to Antwerp for a fortnight or so , you will have ' a clear field and no favour . '"

From which conversation the reader may gather that the two young gentlemen were intimate friends , and that one , at least , of them was on good terms with himself and all the world , and that he seemed to be—which , indeed he was—very much his own master .

CHAPTER II . PROM SOUTH WRINGTON TO ANTWERP . Eleven o ' clock on the night of the 16 th September , 1864—a clear , balmy , autumn nightthe full moon shining down upon a

, forest of masts—a large steamer , the " Gipsy King , " waiting near the dockgates for the tide to start at 2 a . m . for Antwerp . A glorious night , truly , for the voyage ; not a cloud to be seen , scarcely a breath of wind stirring ; the hour is just

striking from a neighbouring tower , and as its last notes dies away on the soft still air , a group of people approach the steamer , and as they step on board the curious wayfarer may notice jiarticularly two members of the jrarty , the one a tall

graceful girl , with a clear , pale complexion and large lustrous eyes , beautifully-fringed lashes and well-arched brows , a crowd of ebon locks carelessly falling off a face of singular loveliness , and banging negligently over her sloping shoulders : a tout ensemble

eminently patrician , and a carriage worth y of a queen . The other , an elderly gentleman ( aged with care and anxiety as much as with years ) tall and thin , of once commanding figure , but now stooping somewhat . A pleasantgenialkindly face he has

, , , with a woman ' s smile , indicative of woman ' s tenderness , possibly of her weakness , too . And yet , at times , there is a certain indescribable somethhiff which seems to

indicate that it had not always been so . "Well , Marian , " the old gentleman says , " we arc likely to have a fine passage , I think . " " Yes , father dear , it will be so nice . I ' m so very glad we are going ; it is so good of you to take me . "

" Father and daughter ajnrurently , " Mr . Chaplin whispers to his friend , Mennell , as the two stroll leisurely up just as the others go on board . " You are likely to have a pleasant passage ; she has a very sweet face . "

"Good night , old fellow , " Harry Mennell replies , not heeding his remark . " Tell my mother I shall be homo next week , or the week after . "

The two-part company . After a very hearty shake of the hand , our young hero strolls leisurely on deck , and having previously sent on board his luggage and secured a berth , takes his stand on the bridge andjiroceeds to light a cigar , puffing away steadily for a quarter of an hour or

so , a victim to many thoughts . "May I offer you one , sir , " he says politely to the old gentleman , who , after seeing his daughter to her berth , and strongly recommending her to retire' at once as the most certain jireventive to

seasickness , betakes himself above again , tempted by the wonderful calmness and beauty of the night . " No , I thank you , " the other answers ; I never smoke myself , but pray don't leave off for my sake" he addsas Harry quietly

, , knocks the ashes off the end of his cigar and extinguishes it . "Thanks ; I ' ve smoked enough , I dare say , " Harry remarks , " and I don't muchcare for it when others don ' t . "

" I presume we are the only cabin pa 3 ' sengers V " Well , yes , I sujipose so ; my daug htei