speaking," said Miss Hauton, "to Mr. Godfrey Percy of his family--relations
of yours, Mr. Falconer, are not they? He has another sister, I think, some
one told me, a beautiful sister, Caroline, who was not at the ball last
night?"

"Yes," said Buckhurst, who looked at this instant also to the dog for
assistance--"Pompey!--Pompey!--poor fellow!"

"Is Miss Caroline Percy like her mother?"

"No."

"Like her father--or her brother?"

"Not particularly--Will you honour me with any commands for town?--Colonel,
have you any?--I'm just going off with Major Clay," said Buckhurst.

"Not you, indeed," cried the colonel; "your father has made you over to me,
and I won't give you leave of absence, my good fellow.--You're under orders
for Cheltenham to-morrow, my boy--No reply, sir--no arguing with your
commanding officer. You've no more to do, but to tell Clay to go without
you."

"And now," continued the colonel, returning to Godfrey Percy, after
Buckhurst had left the room, "what hinders you from making one of our
party? You can't do better. There's Maria and Lady Oldborough were both
wishing it at breakfast--Maria, can't you say something?"

Maria's eyes said more than the colonel could have said, if he had spoken
for ever.