grave they were now met to render the last offices
of companionship, if not of friendship. Indeed
Murphy—a rude, vulgar, and illiterate, though
brave Irishman—having risen from the ranks,
the coarseness of which he had never been able to
shake off, was little calculated, either by habits
or education, to awaken feelings, except of the most
ordinary description, in his favour; and he and Ensign
Delme were the only exceptions to those disinterested
and tacit friendships that had grown up out of circumstances
in common among the majority. If, therefore,
they could regret the loss of such a companion as
Murphy, how deep and heartfelt must have been the
sorrow they experienced when they beheld the brave,
generous, manly, amiable, and highly-talented Frederick
de Haldimar—the pride of the garrison, and
the idol of his family—lying extended, a
cold, senseless corpse, slain by the hand of the bosom
friend of his own brother!—Notwithstanding
the stern severity and distance of the governor, whom
few circumstances, however critical or exciting, could
surprise into relaxation of his habitual stateliness,
it would have been difficult to name two young men
more universally liked and esteemed by their brother
officers than were the De Haldimars—the
first for the qualities already named—the
second, for those retiring, mild, winning manners,
and gentle affections, added to extreme and almost
feminine beauty of countenance for which he was remarkable.
Alas, what a gloomy picture was now exhibited to the
minds of all!—Frederick de Haldimar a corpse,
and slain by the hand of Sir Everard Valletort!
What but disunion could follow this melancholy catastrophe?
and how could Charles de Haldimar, even if his bland
nature should survive the shock, ever bear to look
again upon the man who had, however innocently or
unintentionally, deprived him of a brother whom he
adored?
These were the impressions that passed through the
minds of the compassionating officers, as they directed
their glance alternately from the common to the pale
and marble-like features of the younger De Haldimar,
who, with parted lips and stupid gaze, continued to
fix his eyes upon the inanimate form of his ill-fated
brother, as if the very faculty of life itself had
been for a period suspended. At length, however,
while his companions watched in silence the mining
workings of that grief which they feared to interrupt
by ill-timed observations, even of condolence, the
death-like hue, which had hitherto suffused the usually
blooming cheek of the young officer, was succeeded
by a flush of the deepest dye, while his eyes, swollen
by the tide of blood now rushing violently to his
face, appeared to be bursting from their sockets.
The shock was more than his delicate frame, exhausted
as it was by watching and fatigue, could bear.
He tottered, reeled, pressed his hand upon his head,
and before any one could render him assistance, fell
senseless on the ramparts.