Chapter I

_Our Hero meets Major Wilson, and a Conference takes place, which to some of my Readers may perhaps be interesting._

As John De Lancaster was crossing the barrack-yard on his return from the guard-house, he was met by Major Wilson, to whom he imparted the tragical event, which he had so lately witnessed. When the Major had given directions for the measures necessary to be taken in consequence of the prisoner’s death by suicide upon his own confession, he expressed his wish to De Lancaster, that he would step aside with him into his private room, having something on his mind, that he was anxious to communicate to him.

As soon as they had seated themselves the Major said--Though the sudden exit of this wretched man naturally takes up your thoughts, and must also occupy my attention, yet I seize a few minutes, my dear John, to inform you of something that has passed between Mr. Devereux and me this morning; and I am persuaded you will pardon the intrusion, though it is a matter, that relates entirely to myself. I had not long parted from that gentleman, when I met you, and his business with me was to request, that I would change my quarters, and accept of the accommodation of his house, whilst you and Edward took up your abode with him. When I declined this polite invitation on the plea of regimental duties, his kindness led him to urge it upon me with a degree of earnestness, that seemed very particular, and embarrassed me not a little; for in fact I had more reasons for withstanding his importunity than were convenient for me to disclose to him. To you, my dear John, I can tell all the truth, and the truth is, that like a silly puppy as I am, I have something more than a weak side towards his fair daughter, and don’t choose to expose my folly in either his or her company. You must know, my friend, that yesterday was not the first time of my seeing her. In a situation of some danger from an unruly horse at a review, it was my fortune to be of service to her; by which adventure I dislocated my wrist, and have felt a pain in a certain part under my left ribs ever since: It occurred to me that her father had been let into the secret of this piece of service, on my part, and was seeking an opportunity for making me some sort of return, which you can well believe I am too proud to allow of; besides which--

Besides what? said John (availing himself of a pause in the Major’s narrative) can’t you go on with your story, and fairly own that you are not one whit more in love with Maria Devereux than Maria Devereux is with you? do you suppose that I have no eyes, no observation to discover that?

Nonsense! rejoined the Major, you allude to what occurred upon our meeting yesterday, and mistake gratitude for liking. Now gratitude, you know, won’t serve her purpose, for I want no return; and love would make an ass and a fool of me, were I to let it get the mastery of me; for what am I? ’Twould be just as possible to persuade his faithful majesty to give me the princess of Portugal to wife, as to propose my ridiculous self, (Major Wilson forsooth, with a sword by his side and a bit of ribband in his hat) to a man of Devereux’s sort, whose coffers overflow with the gold of Brazil, and whose daughter is a rock of diamonds, eclipsed indeed by the lustre of her eyes, and the bright display of ten thousand thousand charms, which I am not quite philosopher enough to withstand, nor fool enough to encounter? Why, John, if I could suppose for a moment that she had any liking for me, s’death! I should run crazy, nay, I know not where I should run.--

Into her arms to be sure, John replied; I don’t fancy you need run any where else, if you knew half as much of your own case as I do. But tell me first how you brought yourself off with Mr. Devereux. Didn’t you accept of his invitation, and won’t you post yourself in the citadel, when the gates are opened to you?

Not for the world, said Wilson: ’Tis not in my nature to be so presumptuous. In short I managed my affairs most wretchedly; honesty got the better of me, and after blundering out several false excuses, I at last let out the true one, and, like a downright John-Bull blockhead fairly told him, that his daughter was too captivating, and I too much captivated, to venture any nearer to a lovely and enchanting object, whom, if I were rash enough to approach, it would be only to expose my folly, and destroy my peace. I believe I said something too vauntingly about honour and attachment to my profession, which I considered as a patrimony I never could be brought to alienate: in fine however I became more humble, and earnestly besought him to allow of my declining his favours altogether, whilst I had recollection enough left to find my way to the army I belonged to, and shew myself not totally unworthy of his good opinion by the force I put upon myself to preserve it. And now, friend John, what say you to all this, that I have been telling you? you, that have all the wisdom in a green head, that others have in their grey ones, answer me, and say--did I, or did I not, do right?

In point of honour, Major, you did right; you were a little romantic perhaps, but, honourably speaking, you did strictly right. But you have not told me how your conference ended.

At this moment an orderly man put a letter into his hands, which having hastily perused, he said--I am not sure that our conference is ended, my dear fellow; for it should seem as if the gentleman only quitted me to collect materials for continuing it. I will read you Mr. Devereux’s note just now received, and you will judge.

“At the express desire of Maria Devereux I am to signify to the
gallant officer, whom she holds herself indebted to for life, that
she cannot admit the plausibility of his scruples, and will
guarantee his honour, if he will be pleased to wave them, and make
her and his friends happy by being of the family party this day at
dinner. The undersigned, who writes what she has dictated, begs
leave to add that he is ready to second these her absolute
commands, or any other to the like effect, that she may lay upon
him in the case aforesaid, and thereunto, for the fuller
satisfaction of the parties concerned, he pledges his name,

GEORGE DEVEREUX, SENIOR.”

No sooner had our friendly hero heard him to the end, than impatient to congratulate him, he exclaimed--And what would you have more to assure you, that you have gained the prize, and all your wishes, all your hopes are crowned? Now all this I could have told you, had I not been a little too much of a man of honour to betray family secrets, but the wretched suicide, who lies in yonder guard-house, made no secret of declaring before he died, that Maria Devereux scrupled not to avow her fixed attachment to the unknown officer, who had saved her life. Can you want any further evidence, or would you have her to proclaim her passion for you in the public square by sound of bell? Do you require the father to fall upon his knees to you, and petition you to save his daughter’s life? Something a little short of this, methinks, if I can comprehend that note, he has already done. Now then, puissant conqueror, sally forth in all your pomp of triumph, and receive into your arms the loveliest girl (excepting always her whom I should still except, was the whole world of beauty ranged before me) that ever I beheld. I did not think I could have felt such joy on this side those old towers, in which my heart is lodged. Oh my dear Wilson, let me be the bearer of these joyous tidings to your beloved, your delighted father, to my old darling grandsires, to my sainted aunt and to my lovely my betrothed Amelia. My work is done. I’ll quicken my departure.

The name of the sub-minister was now announced to Major Wilson, and De Lancaster took his leave.