One day, as some of our friends of the --th were sauntering in the

flower-market of Brussels, having been to see the Hotel de Ville, which

Mrs. Major O'Dowd declared was not near so large or handsome as her

fawther's mansion of Glenmalony, an officer of rank, with an orderly

behind him, rode up to the market, and descending from his horse, came

amongst the flowers, and selected the very finest bouquet which money

could buy. The beautiful bundle being tied up in a paper, the officer

remounted, giving the nosegay into the charge of his military groom,

who carried it with a grin, following his chief, who rode away in great

state and self-satisfaction.

"You should see the flowers at Glenmalony," Mrs. O'Dowd was remarking.

"Me fawther has three Scotch garners with nine helpers. We have an acre

of hot-houses, and pines as common as pays in the sayson. Our greeps

weighs six pounds every bunch of 'em, and upon me honour and conscience

I think our magnolias is as big as taykettles."

Dobbin, who never used to "draw out" Mrs. O'Dowd as that wicked Osborne

delighted in doing (much to Amelia's terror, who implored him to spare

her), fell back in the crowd, crowing and sputtering until he reached a

safe distance, when he exploded amongst the astonished market-people

with shrieks of yelling laughter.

"Hwhat's that gawky guggling about?" said Mrs. O'Dowd. "Is it his nose

bleedn? He always used to say 'twas his nose bleedn, till he must have

pomped all the blood out of 'um. An't the magnolias at Glenmalony as

big as taykettles, O'Dowd?"

"'Deed then they are, and bigger, Peggy," the Major said. When the

conversation was interrupted in the manner stated by the arrival of the

officer who purchased the bouquet.

"Devlish fine horse--who is it?" George asked.

"You should see me brother Molloy Malony's horse, Molasses, that won

the cop at the Curragh," the Major's wife was exclaiming, and was

continuing the family history, when her husband interrupted her by

saying-"It's General Tufto, who commands the ---- cavalry division"; adding

quietly, "he and I were both shot in the same leg at Talavera."

"Where you got your step," said George with a laugh. "General Tufto!

Then, my dear, the Crawleys are come."

Amelia's heart fell--she knew not why. The sun did not seem to shine

so bright. The tall old roofs and gables looked less picturesque all

of a sudden, though it was a brilliant sunset, and one of the brightest

and most beautiful days at the end of May.




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