"And," remarked I, "a better contract you could not, as a 'lone widow,' have made. Your husband appears bon enfant,' and is a fine specimen of the healthy climate of this part of the world;-nor do I think, Madame de Crespigny, that you are a bit the worse from the effects of this South African climate— at least if one may judge from your present 'embonpoint' and actual good looks."

"Ah! méchant! never mind my looks!"— replied she, laughing-" but let me first finish my story before my poor husband awakes from the only sound sleep he has enjoyed for several days past, as I must then devote all my attention to the 'pauvre cher homme,' who is still suffering from the fever occasioned by his wound.

'Well," continued she, "it is now five or six months since we have been married-and we agreed that before settling down for life, we should make a 'grand tour' through the colony. These farmers, 'propriétaires' or Boers. as they are vulgarly called appear to know each other from one end of South Africa to the other and our whole journey has been an unceasing scene of festive hospitality.

"After visiting Graaf-Reinet and Cradock, we crossed the great Winterberg mountains as

of

far as Ralsmeyer's Farm; here, after feasting for a few days with some distant border-friends my husband-and not wishing to approach nearer to the scene of war; we were preparing to retrace our steps to Cape Town, by way of Somerset and Uitenhage; when one morning at break of day, the Kaffirs made their unexpected attack; and the poor Hottentot who lost his life on our account, whilst endeavouring to give intelligence of our danger at Camp Adelaide, providentially met you on the

way.

"To your prompt assistance, mon cher Henri, I am once more indebted for my life; of which I have now given you a slight sketch, since the time we last met under the old Fakeer's banyan-tree with that 'pauvre garçon' George Staunton,-who," added she, as her eye was moistened by a tear, "may be said to have sacrificed himself for me!"

The Kaffir war was at an end.

The troops had returned to their usual stations. The native levies were dismissed to their respective homes. I was thanked in orders "for," as the General was pleased to term it, "the 'zeal,' activity, and superior intelligence

I had displayed during the course of my very useful and arduous services, whilst in command of a considerable body of the Irregular portion of the force."

I also, at the same time, received a significant hint-what other reward could a poor subaltern expect?-that I had now better immediately rejoin my corps, which was then on the march to Algoa Bay. Here we shortly reembarked, and soon afterwards reached the Cape, where our regiment was detained for nearly a twelvemonth more, in consequence of threatened fresh outbreaks on the part of the Kaffirs.

I took advantage of this delay, to apply for leave of absence, to proceed with Mynheer Raoul de Crespigny (now perfectly recovered from his wound) on a sporting expedition into the interior, of which I may at some future period give

an account.

The joyful moment at length arrived with the order for our return home, and after a pleasant passage, the regiment reached old England, from whence it had been absent nearly twenty years.

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE LAST CHAPTER.

Soldier, rest, thy warfare o'er,

Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking;
Dream of battle-fields no more,

Days of danger, nights of waking."

WALTER SCOTT.

CIRCUMSTANCES had prevented me from returning home in the same vessel with my regiment, from Southern Africa. Although detained for a time at Cape Town after its departure, I reached England within a few days of its disembarcation, and joined at those pleasant quarters where the corps was already stationed, and with which my brother-officers appeared most highly pleased.

With what different feelings and emotions did I once more set foot on the beloved shores of Old England, to those experienced when last returning from abroad!

So many previous, dear ties of relation

ship, of friendship, and of love, now severed for ever, never again to be renewed!

My old comrade Willoughby, my sister, Mr. Talbot, and Louisa, were in short, the only valued friends and relatives that remained. It was long since I had received any intelligence from them; and therefore naturally felt most anxious for the reply from my sister, to a letter despatched by me immediately on landing in England.

The expected answer, soon relieved me from this state of uncertainty and suspense. Jane and her good husband were quite well, still happily residing on their little property in Wales. Mr. Talbot and Louisa had lately returned from a lengthened Continental tour, and were then-with Mrs. Archer,-temporarily residing at Cheltenham.

Jane's letter, added that Louisa Talbot was looking handsomer than ever, but still unmarried, and showing no inclination to enter as yet into the "holy state." She had quite recovered from the effects of her prolonged residence in the East, both in looks and health, but that Mr. Talbot,-being far from well,was for the present at Cheltenham, in hopes of deriving benefit from the waters.