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140 LIFR’S LITTLE IRONIEB

childhood, till she was in a simmer of distress at his recklessness in remaining. It was only because she insisted on bidding him goodnight and leaving the wall that he returned to his quarters.

The next time that she saw him he was without the stripes that had adorned his sleeve. He had been broken to the level of private for his lateness that night; and as Phyllis considered herself to be the cause of his disgrace her sorrow was deep. But the position was now reversed ; it was his tarn to cheer her.

“Don’t grieve, meine Lieblichs!” he said, “Thave got a remedy for whatever comes. Firat, even supposing I regain my stripes, would your father allow you to marry a non-commissioned officer in the York Hussars ?”

She flushed. This practical step bad not been in her mind in relation to such an unrealistic person as he was, and a moment’s reflection was enough for it, “My father would not—certainly would not,” she answered, unflinchingly. “It cannot be thought of! My dear friend, please do forget me; I fear I am rnoining you and your prospects!”

"Not at all,” said he. “You are giving this country of yours just sufficient interest to me to make me care to keep alive in it. If my dear land were here also, and my old parent with you, I could be happy as I am, and would do my best as a soldier, But it is not so. And now listen. This is my plan. That you go with me to my own country, and be my wife there, and live there with my mother and me. I am not 3 Hanoverian, as you know, though I entered the army as such; my country is by the Saar, and is at peace with France, and if I were once in it I should be free.”

“But how get there?” she asked, Phyllis had been