66 sarcastically. "I am sure it is the æstheticism of the thing Slepe has fallen in love with." "Well," said Phil, "I'll meet you in consultation if we chance to come together. I believe too much in the real thing to fear you." "I think I shall go in for it," persisted Slepe. "And since we cannot alter you," said Elton, "we will wish you good luck. Only do make out a new and more rational system. Fancy 'Slepe's system of homoopathy!"" and a roar of laughter greeted the idea. 66 "I should work in your old friend-tobacco," suggested Phil. "If you are restless,-tobacco; if you are melancholy, tobacco; if you want to think,-tobacco; if you feel inclined to weep,-tobacco. The new pharmacopoeia would be a great favourite, I feel sure," laughed Phil. "Oh, rather! Why, I already feel converted," said Reve; " and as I want to be cheerful," he drew out his case and lit a cigar, then handing the case round. "Well, Strong, are you going to turn homœopath?" 66 Yes, as far as tobacco goes. But I think I shall go in for a G. P. I hate town. I can't live without my hunting and shooting; that is the life for me." "Well, I took a locum tenens once," said Elton, "and never had such hard work in my life. All day and night and in all weathers, to go miles, for perhaps nothing." "Yes," said Strong, "one of the hardest lives there is. But I'm tough, and as long as I can get a day's hunting in the week I shall be happy." "Here's another man who loves the red-deer as his father,'” said Reve," and tobacco." 66 "Yes, a fat weed, and I am quite happy." "I went in to say good-bye to the poet," said Elton. "Had I then known what I know now, I might have recommended some,-let me see, what is it? Arsenic or agaricus ? ” But the bright August morn was fast going, and Phil said he must go; and, as usual, the rest followed, after wishing Elton every possible success. "And he will get on, too," said Reve, "to the top of the tree, I hope. He's got it in him. He's got it in him. Hit his groove, too, which is my idea of genius." "Yes," said Phil, "many a one spends his lifetime in finding it. It is like Chinese billiards, where the balls roll among the wires and one does sometimes hit, while many miss, and few go straight into the pocket.” "And so few pockets are lined," said Strong. "I am going to do Grater's work at Bristol for a month. That will be a treat. What are you up to, Reve?” "Dont know ;" and then suddenly he continued, “Oh, go out to Zululand; nothing left for me but to go as a civil surgeon. I'll go down to the War Office now and enquire about it," and with his usual enthusiasm he parted from his two companions to go to his rooms. "Well," said Phil, in parting, "it would be great fun, Reve, but you'll get awfully rusty. "H'm," answered the knowing Reve, and no more, but went to his rooms. There he found a letter from Hal Fairwind, who, in his travels, had reached Iowa, and said he was going to start farming out there. "Not a word about her," said Reve, and threw down the letter in disgust. "I wonder where she is. Melancholy, tobacco," said he with an effort, and a pipe was immediately seized and lighted. But his thoughts would wander back to her sweet face, and forced to confess the failure of the remedy applied, he put on his hat. 66 "I'll go to that War Office, after all," he decided. Action, action, I must have action. Who was it said, 'De l'audace, de l'audace, et de l'audace?' Some French fellow; Danton, I think. Not quite in the same sense, but it will do. I'll go in for l'audace." And Reve went to the War Office. CHAPTER XXXV. "The world was all before them, where to choose “Home keeping youths have ever homely arts.” HE same old scene was being enacted at the "Holborn," with the same shining lights and glistening glass. The band had struck up selections from the "Pinafore," as Reve entered and walked up to one of the tables at which Strong was already seated waiting for him. “Here you are,” said Strong; "how goes it?" "All done. They have accepted me and I am to sail next week." 66 Well, you are an odd fellow Who would have thought this a fortnight ago?" "Well, I must do something. I am fond of travelling, and I shall see quite a new side of life.” "Well, it's awfully sad, all this. Our old set all broken up, and such jolly times we have had together." "Yes. Well, we have had our day, and I suppose there are other jolly sets now enjoying themselves and little thinking what a parting it will be." After dinner they went into the smoking gallery, where they met little Dr. Dick. He was much elated, for he had just got on to the staff of a city hospital, and had set |