a duty in which blood was expected to be shed?  He could not suppose that any consideration would induce me to resign my duty to another officer, when apprised of this fact.’  All this was said with the air of one really interested in my honour; but in my increasing impatience, I told him I wanted none of his cant; I simply asked him a favour, which he would grant or decline as he thought proper.  This was a harshness of language I had never indulged in; but my mind was sore under the existing causes of my annoyance, and I could not bear to have my motives reflected on at a moment when my heart was torn with all the agonies attendant on the position in which I found myself placed.  His cheek paled and flushed more than once, before he replied, ’that in spite of my unkindness his friendship might induce him to do much for me, even as he had hitherto done, but that on the present occasion it rested not with him.  In order to justify himself he would no longer disguise the fact from me, that the colonel had declared, in the presence of the whole regiment, I should take my duty regularly in future, and not be suffered to make a convenience of the service any longer.  If, however, he could do any thing for me during my absence, I had but to command him.

“While I was yet giving vent, in no very measured terms, to the indignation I felt at being made the subject of public censure by the colonel, the same sergeant came into the room, announcing that the company were only waiting for me to march, and that the colonel desired my instant presence.  In the agitation of my feelings, I scarcely knew what I did, putting several portions of my regimental equipment on so completely awry, that your father noticed and rectified the errors I had committed; while again, in the presence of the sergeant, I expressed the deepest regret he could not relieve me from a duty that was hateful to the last degree.

“Torn with agony at the thought of the uncertainty in which I was compelled to leave her, whom I so fondly adored, I had now no. other alternative than to make a partial confidant of your father.  I told him that in the cottage which I pointed out he would find the original of the portrait he had seen me painting on a former occasion,—­the Cornish cousin, whose beauty he professed to hold so cheaply.  More he should know of her on my return; but at present I confided her to his honour, and begged he would prove his friendship for me by rendering her whatever attention she might require in her humble abode.  With these hurried injunctions he promised to comply; and it has often occurred to me since, although I did not remark it at the time, that while his voice and manner were calm, there was a burning glow upon his handsome cheek, and a suppressed exultation in his eye, that I had never observed on either before.  I then quitted the room; and hastening to my company with a gloom on—­my brow that indicated the wretchedness of my inward spirit, was soon afterwards on the march from ——.”