"It happens strangely that we should never have met before, Mr.Lovel.I know your regiment very well, and have served along with them at different times." A blush crossed Lovel's countenance.

"I have not lately been with my regiment," he replied; "I served the last campaign upon the staff of General Sir----." "Indeed! that is more wonderful than the other circumstance!--for although I did not serve with General Sir----, yet I had an opportunity of knowing the names of the officers who held situations in his family, and I cannot recollect that of Lovel." At this observation Lovel again blushed so deeply as to attract the attention of the whole company, while, a scornful laugh seemed to indicate Captain M'Intyre's triumph.

"There is something strange in this," said Oldbuck to himself; "but I will not readily give up my phoenix of post-chaise companions--all his actions, language, and bearing, are those of a gentleman." Lovel in the meanwhile had taken out his pocket-book, and selecting a letter, from which he took off the envelope, he handed it to Mlntyre.
"You know the General's hand, in all probability--I own I ought not to show these exaggerated expressions of his regard and esteem for me." The letter contained a very handsome compliment from the officer in question for some military service lately performed.

Captain M'Intyre, as he glanced his eye over it, could not deny that it was written in the General's hand, but drily observed, as he returned it, that the address was wanting.

"The address, Captain M'Intyre," answered Lovel, in the same tone, "shall be at your service whenever you choose to inquire after it!" "I certainly shall not fail to do so," rejoined the soldier.
"Come, come," exclaimed Oldbuck, "what is the meaning of all this?
Have we got Hiren here ?--We'll have no swaggering youngsters.