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SAMUEL FREEPORT was a younger son. His father made no provision for him beyond getting him a commission in one of his late Majesty's Regiments of Foot; for he was quite satisfied that Sam's propensities would induce him to squander every shilling. The old man, therefore, on leaving the world, recommended him to the care of his brothers, who were three in number.

Sam had been very lucky in promotion. At the age of twenty-four he had his company. He had given it out that he was to come in for an enormous fortune at his father's decease, and he was not a little disgusted when the melancholy truth was broken unto him—namely, that he was dependent on his elder brethren, with whom he had no sort of sympathy.

The only consolation that Freeport found in these circumstances was afforded by his vanity, which prompted him to think he might marry a dowager duchess, or some single heiress equally wealthy. Our hero was wrong in his opinion—that he was the handsomest man in the world. At the same time, he was what may be termed a very good looking fellow. He stood about five feet ten, had a fine open countenance, laughing blue eyes, and a small mouth, about which was ever playing a very winning smile. He was a favourite with most people, but a "pet" in his corps; for all the members, from the colonel to the junior ensign, loved him for his good temper, and excessively kind heart. Sam used frequently to draw largely on his imagination, but no one ever heard him say an ill-natured word against any man breathing. The sole object of his invention was the amusement of those who listened to his stories. In proportion to his warmth of heart he had a coolness of disposition; which in other men would have amounted to impudence; but in Sam Freeport it was wit.

At the time when he heard of his father's death, the corps was ordered to march from Huddersfield to York, and in the month of December entered that ancient city, at about four o'clock in the afternoon, the band playing vigorously:--

"Oh! they marched through the town,

With their banners so gay."

Sam gave a boy sixpence to show him the way to the White Horse. He called for the landlord, and inquired whether the Earl of Dunburley was staying there. He was answered in the negative. Sam expressed his surprise, as he said his lordship told him he would certainly be there on the 18th. The landlord suggested that something might have interfered with his lordship's intentions. Sam said it was very likely, and then inquired if anything was going on in York.

"Why no, sir, nothing particular; and until the assize ball, I take it, we shall not have much gaiety. The Newshams give an evening party to-night, to which I believe everybody is invited."

"Who is Newsham?"

"Mr. Newsham, sir, is our leading attorney, and transacts the business of all the first men in the county."

"I wonder if he could give me any intelligence of my friend, Lord Dunburley?"

"It is not at all improbable, sir."

"Where does he live? Can I get a chaise here?"

"Certainly, sir."

A chaise was ordered, and Sam Freeport was conveyed to the house of Mr. Newsham, "the leading attorney."

After apologizing for calling at such an hour, Sam Freeport said he wished to consult Mr. Newsham on a matter of business; that he had some twenty thousand pounds in the funds, which he wished to draw out, and invest at a more profitable rate of interest—for instance, upon mortgage of landed property in Yorkshire.

Mr. Newsham remarked that the matter could be very easily effected, and Sam gave him the necessary instructions for a power of attorney. He then inquired after his friend the Earl of Dunburley, and affected a mysterious astonishment when informed that his lordship had gone upon the continent.

"Which is the first inn in York, Mr. Newsham?"

"The White Horse!"

"Thank you," returned Sam, looking at his watch. "I fear I am too late for mess, and must——"

"I am about to dine, and if you will give me the pleasure of your company, I shall be delighted!"

Sam said, "You are very kind; really—I—shall have much pleasure."

Mr. Newsham and Sam dined tête-à-tête. Mrs. Newsham and her four daughters had dined at half-past two, and had been hard at work since that hour in making preparations for the forthcoming gaiety. By eight o'clock Sam had disposed of more than one bottle of very superior Madeira, which had been presented to his host by a client of whom he was not a little proud.

It was a peculiarity of Freeport that he discarded all sorts of formality and stiffness on very short acquaintance, and when his host broke to him that they had a party at which he hoped Sam would be present, Sam replied, "My dear fellow, Newsham, it will delight me. I like your company and conversation, and I'd go to the other end of the world to serve you."

This, coming from a man who had twenty thousand pounds in the funds, and who was for investing it on mortgage, touched Newsham's heart, and made him respond in these words—"Captain Freeport, I not only respect you as the friend of Lord Dunburley, but I regard you with esteem for your inherent good qualities."

"Give me your hand," said Sam. (Newsham gave it.) "Never mind my good qualities and Dunburley; but if you love me, call me Captain Freeport no longer, but simply Sam."

A note, or rather a memorandum, came in to Mr. N. from his wife. It ran thus:—"It is now past nine, and there are you sitting, telling those stupid stories of yours, and never thinking that people are coming, and that room will be wanted for the coffee. When are we to expect you to leave that room?"

Newsham wrote in pencil,—"Don't be angry, love; I'll come presently. Captain Freeport, of the——Foot (a man of large fortune), is with me on business."

Sam saw there was a domestic screw loose, and proposed going home to dress. Newsham said, "Your quarters are at some distance. You will do very well as you are." But Sam was too vain to yield to this, and left his host for the purpose of attiring himself in his uniform.

Sam had a faithful servant, named Blew, who always awaited his master's coming, no matter at what hour. As soon as Sam's voice was heard, the candles were lighted, and everything in readiness. Orders were given to get out the articles of dress which Sam required; and while Blew was engaged in obeying the mandate, Sam pored over his MS. book of complimentary quotations, culled from the British poets of all times. He didn't know a soul of the party to which he was going, and therefore looked for something as general as possible. The following struck him as "very good," and he applied himself to commit it to memory:—

"Oh, were those eyes in heav'n

They'd through the starry region shine so bright

That birds would sing, and think it was the morn."

Sam had repeated these verses at least eighteen times; but as he pulled on his gloves, he thought it would be right to test his accuracy, and therefore called on Blew to take the book and hear him.

"Oh were those eyes in heaven, the birds would chirp and swear it's morning."

"Not exactly, sir," said Blew; "you've missed the middle line."

"What middle line?"

"They'd through the starry region shine so bright."

"What's the use of the starry region? They're much better without it."

"So I should say, sir; but it is here in the book."

"Oh, never mind that. What is it? 'O were the birds in heaven, they'd swear those eyes'—What is it?"

Blew repeated—

"Oh, were those eyes in heaven,

The birds would sing, and think it was the morn."

"I've left out the middle line, sir."

"Let us have another look at the book," said Sam. "There, now I have it. Tell Mr. Harroway I have dined out, and gone to a ball."

The air had had some effect upon Freeport, and he felt as though some of Mr. Newsham's Madeira had got into the heels of his boots: not that he was intoxicated, or thereto approaching. His capacity for wine was enormous, and he had tested it too frequently to admit of his yielding to the strongest of grape juice. With his mental faculties quite clear, and his body perfectly erect, he experienced merely a slight to-and-fro movement from the knees downwards.

Mr. Newsham stood near the door of the dancing-room to receive his warm-hearted acquaintance. Freeport was now introduced to the lady of the house and her daughters—four very good looking girls, who were all dressed exactly alike.

There was a rich and comfortable look about the abode of the leading attorney, and Sam suddenly made up his mind to be on very good terms with the family, as long as the corps was quartered in York.

The girls were not handsome, nor were they what is termed "highly accomplished." But they were famed for feats of horsewomanship, and their manners were somewhat masculine, and strikingly in contrast with their graceful and very feminine appearance. Their conversation, too, was peculiar. It partook so much of out-door matters.

It was Anne Newsham's birth-day. Anne was the youngest but one. Freeport solicited her to dance with him. She rose abruptly from the ottoman, and took his arm.

"How do you like York?" said Anne, beginning the conversation.

"I have hardly had an opportunity of judging yet: but the little I have seen has made a very favourable impression," replied Sam, sweetly.

"That's all gammon and spinach," observed his partner, with an honest laugh.

"I assure you it is a fact," urged Sam, not a little taken aback.

"Do you intend to join the hunt, Captain Freeport?"

"Oh, certainly."

"That's right, and get all your friends to do the like. We shall have a noble meeting this year, I hope."

"Do you take much interest in these matters?"

"Did not the governor tell you that we girls have been in at the death of every fox that has been killed near this for the last four years?"

"No!"

"Then that's a wonder; for he tells every one."

It was impossible to know, and not to like the Misses Newsham, albeit they were such very bold girls and said such very odd things. Sam was charmed with Anne, and when the dance was over he lingered by her chair, and talked about "the chase."

Before Sam left her he took an opportunity of getting rid of his quotation,

"Oh were those eyes in heaven,

The birds would sing, and think it was the morn."

"More fools they," said Anne, looking him full in the face, and squinting hideously. "The birds of the air are not green enough for that, Captain Freeport."

Sam laughed loudly, and when Anne looked straight again, he felt a decided affection for her.

"I'm afraid you will find York a very dull place, Captain Freeport," observed the hostess.

"Were it ever so dull," said Sam, "your contribution to the society would enliven it."

"The girls are very lively, certainly," conceded Mrs. Newsham. "But the place itself—I suspect you will not like the place. It is so fearfully quiet—too much so for young people."

"I shall like it all the better for that," replied Sam, readily. "I am very fond of sociality, but I cannot say I enjoy much gaiety and racket."

"Well," said Mrs. Newsham, "that's just what I feel. A few friends and a merry laugh: but the racket of continual parties is to me past all endurance."

"You are quite right," quoth Freeport. "If you know people, know 'em well; and if you can't know 'em well, why don't know 'em at all. That's my principle."

"And so it is mine," said Mrs. Newsham.

"And if that principle were acted up to," added Sam, "there would no longer be any truth in the saying, that 'you may have a church full of acquaintances, but the pulpit will hold all your friends.'"

Mrs. Newsham was approached by a very important personage, of about forty-five.

Freeport took the opportunity of getting away, and making up to Newsham, who had just heard, so he said, of a splendid opportunity of investing capital. By the time this little matter was talked over, it was twelve o'clock, and supper was announced to be on table.

Before Freeport left the house, Mrs. Newsham asked Sam to take luncheon with them on the following day. The reader will readily imagine he did not refuse.