"SIMON, announce to Lieutenant Endsleigh that I am || parted, and the blood mounted to his very forehead. But ready to see him.”

"Yes, sir."

after a moment's pause, he drew his hand across his face, and bending forward with a stiff and slight inclination of body, to be interpreted by his visitor as a bow, he beckoned with his finger, and said, "Come nearer, young man."

The lieutenant advanced to the opposite side of the broad table to that at which Sir John was seated, and his eye fell beneath the keenly scrutinizing glance with which the Baronet now assailed him. Finally, Sir John spoke, and there was harshness mingled with the de Follaton pride of his tone.

"Lieutenant Endsleigh, I will enter without circumlocution upon the business for which I have summoned you. You saw my daughter at Bath, sir?"

"I did." There was agonizing suspense and enthusiastic love in the lieutenant's manner, and emotion, as he answered.

Sir John de Follaton was seated, when he gave this command, in the library of his ancestral halls. One arm rested on an ancient writing-table, a venerable heirloom, and one gouty foot was propped up with cushions on a stool. The gout was hereditary as were all Sir John's dependencies. The library was on the second floor of an octagonal tower that lifted its castellated, summit aloft in hoary grandeur in the midst of the edifice of which it was the most imposing feature. A porch, richly ornamented with gothic tracery carved in the stone of its walls, and with lofty pinnacles, projected in front, and from either side extended wings of the same material and architecture with the central tower. It was a proud old castle, with its labelled and mullioned windows, and its embattled and ivied walls. It had stood without a change, save the jealous repairs necessary to its preservation, it may be, since the days of William the Conqueror; certainly, since Edward the First's time, for the domain was conferred by that monarch on Launcelot de Follayetoun, as the original conveyance, sacredly preserved in that same library, sufficiently demonstrates. And from that by-gone day to the one on which we have introThis last sentence was an involuntary ejaculation. The duced the reader to Sir John de Follaton, it has descend-young officer's cheek was in an instant flushed to crime ed without a break in the regular succession, through a son, then pale, then flushed again. He trembled in every long line of haughty de Follatons, to this last, the proud-limb; and bringing his arm to the table with an audible est and haughtiest of them all. The motto on their coat sound, he would have spoken. But the Baronet waved of arms was, and had ever been, "Honor!" his hand in opposition, and with an apologetic "Pardon me," continued—

son.

"Forgetful of her rank, you dared to aspire to her, You took advantage of her open nature; and strove to ingratiate yourself into her affections. You succeeded. Her friends discovered your intercourse when it was too late to avert its results. Would to Heaven I had been there to preserve the honor of my house!"

Sir John was a bitterly disappointed man. He was the first of his race, to whom nature had vouchsafed no "Caroline de Follaton loves you, young man. I have One daughter alone graced the halls of his fathers; threatened-I speak it openly-I have threatened, conbut oh, it was such a daughter, that in the very woe of his jured, implored her, but she has had no heed to me. She heart, he could not spurn her from the excess her beauty loves you, sir, and she has forgotten to laugh, and her and sweetness merited. She was bred from early child-step has become slow and heavy. Young man, I cannot hood, as every scion of the de Follatons had ever been reared, in every adorning accomplishment of body and mind; and she had grown to womanhood, proudly preeminent for cultivated charms, with an open, laughing, sunny countenance, and not one sprinkling of de Follaton pride in all her composition.

"Simon, announce to Lieutenant Endsleigh, that I am ready to see him." We repeat the command, to recall the reader to the library and its occupant. The servant retired to execute his mission, and Sir John settled himself in his chair to receive his visitor. There was pride, rank pride, in the calm repose of every movement; and it was printed yet more deeply and legibly on his corrugated brow, and eagle nose, and thin, compressed lips; and in the piercing fire of his eye,

Lieutenant Endsleigh was ushered in. He was of middle stature, with a frank, manly, taking countenance. He might have been handsome, perhaps, at other times, but now his cheek was pale, and his lips had a visible

lose my child, and I have sent for you. But who and what are you, that you should be linked with a de Follaton?"

The lieutenant did not hear this second, and more bitter reproach. His thoughts were with the being whom he loved better than his own soul.

"But no matter," continued the Baronet; "as I said, I could not lose my child. But he whom the world knows not, who knows not himself, and whose honor has not been proved, until it has been found pure as molten gold, may never wed the heiress of de Follaton, though she pine and die, and I follow her, a grey-haired and childless father, to her grave! You are a soldier, young man, and may be what I would have you; but your courage and honor have never been tried, and your rank is low. Nay, nay, I mean no insult. Be calm, and calmly hear me to the end. It's a good symptom, however, that you do not tamely cringe beneath my words. Sir, England is in arms on the Continent. There is a

field for valor to prove itself. Would you seek it if you loved. I did not forget her rank and mine. I strove were able?"

with myself, but it was in vain. I was about to ask to see her. I would have told her how grateful I was for this opportunity to prove my worthiness of her. I would As Sir John spoke, he threw across the table to him a || have gathered firmness and resolution from her presence paper which he had been twirling in his hand. End--and--I may pass away in the struggle to achieve my sleigh looked at it in amazement. It was, indeed, a com- end, and never see her more; and it had been grateful to mission as major in the 18th. He gazed on the astound- say one word at parting. But I bow to your decision. ing document, then turned his eyes in mute astonishment Farewell, sir! I think I shall not disappoint your hopes on Sir John. -farewell."

At this critical moment, Major Endsleigh found free to which he hastened; and not many days elapsed before voice. he was on the bosom of the tide, bound for his regiment, on the Continent.

CHAPTER II.-THE BANQUET.

'Hip-hip-hip! Hurrah! Hip-hip-hip! Hurrah! Hip-hip-hip! Hurrah! Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!"

"Hip-hip-hur-hu-hurrah! Good! A real joke?" "Silence, Leland; you are noisy."

"Noisy! That's good again! I'll p-p-prove directly that you l-l-lie under a mistake, sir!"

"You'll soon lie under the table, my fine fellow!" "That's personal, by ! I l-leave it to the company if that isn't personal. But I f-forgive a m-man that's too drunk to k-know (hiccup) what he's about." "You're very kind, Captain Soberness." "Mr. Ch-chairman, I propose a t-toast!" "Attention, gentlemen! A toast from Captain Leland.” "Gen-gentlemen, I the mem-memory of propose Major Petrock. Heaven rest his soul, and the h-health of his successor!"

"Ha, ha, ha ha, ha! a good one for you, Leland. You doubtless expect that the next Gazette will read, 'Benedict Leland to be major of the 18th, vice Petrock, deceased.""

"I do, that's a fact. Do you me-mean to in-insinuate any thing de-derog-deroga-derogatory to my pretensions? If tried service was ever re-rewarded-"

"Service in what? The ranks of Bacchus ?" "Jim Cuth-Cuthbert, you're a d-d-d- -d fool!" "Leland, I'll put you on your back if you're insolent. But sit down and behave yourself. There's no doubt of your title, and none of your chance, neither. We'll make it hot water for an interloper. You're safe, however. The colonel thinks so, too."

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Jim, you're a d-d- -d good fellow!"

'Indeed, then, either way, eh, Leland?" Endsleigh crossed the channel, ignorant of the peculiar trials he was about to encounter. He had been carefully trained in the ways of uprightness, by poor and humble, but pious parents, and aside from his principles, he had an instinctive and utter abhorrence of vice, meanness and sensuality. He was to enter a regiment, whose officers had been long associated together, without a changewho were governed by the most jealous esprit du corps, and were addicted to many follies and vices, governing themselves by an arbitrary code of right and wrong, of honor and dishonor, the offspring of the laxity and perversity it favored, rather than of the eternal principles of morality, none the less binding and everlasting that they exist in every degree of strength in various minds. The death of Major Petrock had effected the first breach in their alliance, for many years; and they were resolved that the senior captain of the regiment should succeed him. They did not, however, anticipate any other appointment, since their petition to the War-office had been advocated by the general himself-a hoary veteran, hating from his soul, the system of purchase and favoritism, by which the untried, and sometimes, very boys, were commissioned, in disregard of the claims of those whose scars deserved honorable advancement from their country. Captain Leland was a valorous soldier.

Endsleigh dreamed of hair-breath 'scapes, and well

fought fields, as the only tests of his courage-the only contests for his glorious stake.

Colonel Saltram, who occupied the chair, was called out soon after the conversation detailed above. When he returned, his face exhibited much emotion; and so soon as he reached his seat, he rapped strenuously on the table for silence. Curiosity enforced his mandate, and in an instant, even the intoxicated were still.

"Gentlemen, the general has received despatches from home, the contents of which will excite no less your indignation than your astonishment. Give me your attention. Gentlemen, the claims of our worthy companion in arms, Captain Leland, have been disregarded; and one Lieutenant Endsleigh, late of the 24th, is promoted to the vacancy in our regiment. The general commands that he be respected accordingly."

All rose. They were one in feeling-one in courage -one in determination. It was not out of any special regard for Leland that they thus advocated his pretentions, for he was a hot-headed man, with few intimates; but by the freemasonry of their long intimacy, they had learned to consider an insult to one an insult to all. They were, too, men considerably advanced in years, while the new major was understood to be yet in the ruddiness of youth. This strengthened the excitement against him.

"I move," continued the colonel, "that the officers of this regiment view this denial of their unanimous petition, with regret and sorrow!"

Agreed! agreed. Seconded-it's unanimous," were the several ejaculations of the officers, some of whom were scarce able, from the depth of their potations, to sit erect in their chairs.

"I move," said Lieutenant Dortmouth, less fiery and more humorous than his fellows, "that a committee of two be appointed to communicate to Captain Leland, now asleep upon the floor, this news, so interesting to him."

The lieutenant and Ensign Cuthbert were nominated by the Chair, to the duty. The snoring captain was lifted into a seat, and when sufficiently awakened to comprehend what was said, the appointment of Lieutenant Endsleigh was announced to him. It had enough of power over his inebriety to bring him to his feet; not, however, without imminent danger of an overturn.

"What's that! A-another man than myself, major! Is that-that true? It's so as-astounding, that I stagger under it, I do, indeed, damme!"

"Ha! ha! ha!" went round the table; for the captain made a lee lurch as he spoke, and almost capsized himself and all things about him.

"What in fury are ye laughing at? But a-about this major. Ic-consider (hiccup)myself in-insulted! You're insulted! We're all insulted! I can't stand it!"down he went at full length upon the floor.

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The company soon separated, and when Captain Leland recovered from his intoxication, and was again made acquainted with his disappointment, his rage knew no bounds. He had considered the vacant majority as secured to him; and he had been saluted by its title. He

ground his teeth together in the extremity of his passion, || day testified to his nobleness and superiority; and some and swore, with multiplied and horrible oaths, that his decisively hostile demonstration was necessary to effect successful rival should atone for the insult with his blood. || their object. A plan was secretly concocted, to force His companions were animated by a degree of the same Endsleigh to offend Leland, that there might be occasion sentiment, and encouraged him in these feelings. Afor a challenge; which his guarded conduct had thus far prevented.

system of petty vexations was arranged for the new officer, to render his situation as disagreeable as possible, and Leland awaited his coming, abating nothing of his bitter fury, but fostering it by the delay! and resolving on a far more speedy and signal vengeance than his fellows were disposed to execute for his sake.

Leland was the best shot in the regiment.

The army was at this time quartered in the village of B-, and Colonel Saltram sent invitations to a dinner at his rooms. Major Endsleigh was, of course, among the invited. He was perfectly unconscious of the object of Before many days, Major Endsleigh arrived, and waited this merry-making, but scrupled whether to attend. The upon his general. He bore letters from Sir John de officers were careless of that only benefit of social feastFollaton and other high quarters, which made it the ing-the elevation, hilarity, and keenness of mind to evident policy of the general to treat him with considera- which it conduces-and indulged appetite, merely for the tion; although, from influences before explained, he was gratification of sensual desire. For such enjoyment, disposed, negatively, to encourage the cabal against him. Endsleigh had little yearning. He feared too, lest the Endsleigh's bearing excited his interest, too, and enlisted passion brooding against him in the minds of most, should his sympathies; and when, after a few days, the major, be awakened to energy by indulgence, and he be compelhaving, with the most poignant sorrow, discovered his led to submit to open and undisguised assault. But it situation, consulted him whether it would not be advisa- || might give equal offence should he decline to be present, ble to obtain a transfer to some other regiment, he was when unrestrained by duty; and he deemed it the wiser disposed to yield him both advice and assistance. But course to attend, and with eyes open to his position, to he counselled Endsleigh to remain, and to conquer his avoid the results he deprecated by caution and wariness. foes by his deportment, and his elevation above the reach of grovelling abuse.

CHAPTER III-THE TRIAL.

The tenor of Endsleigh's conduct did not produce the effect desired. It was so strongly in contrast in every respect with that of his enemies, that it rather served to inflame than to conciliate. He observed to every one, a marked courtesy-would not permit himself to be excited by the thousand and one aggravations to passion which where thrust before him, and never mingled in the often revels of the officers, nor exhibited those propensities so manifest in them. It was a difficult task to comport himself as he had determined-to sustain the fortitude and equanimity so necessary. Insult met him in every quarter; not open and tangible, and yet not so covert but that it fully revealed its nature. His days were days of misery. In his hours of loneliness, it required the exercise of every nobler faculty of his mind to prevent him from succumbing to his trials. But the high purpose for which he was now to strive-the momentous stake for which he was playing, was the star of his observation-the guide of his action. When more than ordinarily oppressed-when the weakness of his human nature rebelled at its fetters, and in despair and wretchedness, he was sorely tempted to relinquish the contest with himself and others, in which he was now contending, he would reflect how far more honorable and glorious would be this victory, than even an evidence of the brute courage which would satify the proud heart of Sir John de Follaton, and win his lovely daughter; how much more enhanced would be that daughter's love, when she should be told of this desperate struggle; and he was nerved to continued endeavor.

It was resolved by Leland and his associates, to bring matters to a crisis. It was manifest, that Endsleigh could not be cajoled or taunted to commit himself. Every

When he entered the apartment, he was received with studied civility. During the first course at table, but little conversation took place; every one was conscious of the coming crisis, and every exuberance of feeling was checked. Endsleigh was impressed with the conviction of something unusual and restrained, but it was indefinable and unaccountable. Yet he exhibited no wonder or confusion, but sat in calm collectedness and self-possession. Leland was nearly opposite to him, and the remainder of the company were unavoidably impressed by the strong contrast between the two: the former, erect and secure in innocence and the boldness of moral determination, the latter, flushed and uncertain in look and gesture. Leland was apprised by his own consciousness of his deficiency in coolness; and poured down glass after glass, which, in his mental excitement, only seemed to inflame his passions without embarrassing reflection.

Before a long period had elapsed the wine began to do its work, the tongues of the company to wag, and the denouement to approach.

"The health of Colonel Saltram, our gallant host!" said a lieutenant, at the foot of the table. "Our gallant Colonel!" was tossed off in a bumper, followed by stunning cheers.

"Gentlemen," said the Colonel, in reply, "I thank you; and let me give you in return, May we ever be as a body of brothers!"

"We cannot, while our unity is invaded by strangers!" cried a captain, on Endsleigh's right.

"Nor while children are sent among us to be our commanders," added a surly, grey-haired lieutenant, twirling his glass.

These exclamations were not only indecorous and insulting, but of that boldly mutinous character, which would render their utterers amenable to severe punishment. But the criminals were incited to this exposition of malice, by the countenance of their superiors, at the

same time the superiors of the insulted officer. The reck-
lessness of the remarks were, however, so startling, that
the very expectants of them were wonder-stricken, and
a perfect silence for a few moments ensued; every eye
being bent on the individual against whom they were
directed. The whole matter burst upon Endsleigh at
once, so soon as they were uttered; and he felt to his
soul that he had been enticed to his intended destruction
—that he sat, unfriended, among almost, if not indeed,
blood-thirsty enemies. His cheek grew somewhat pale,
and he involuntarily lifted himself up into a more erect
position, while he glanced hastily at the offenders. But
reflection was not overcome by excited passion, and
swallowing his rising indignation and anger, he remain- ||
ed silent, to await the further development of the evident
plot.

"Gentlemen, I will give you-Ourselves—when a brave companion is again severed from us, may no beardless upstart be thrust upon us to usurp the laurels, with which tried service should be rewarded!"

This was pointedly delivered by the lieutenant-colonel. It was a sore trial to Endsleigh, and his paleness was superseded by a momentary flush, while his lips trembled with excitement. But he was still silent. "A bumper to Captain Leland!"

guest as I am, I should not have been protected by our mutual entertainer. I came, utterly ignorant that I was to be made the target for unbridled abuse, but I have resolved to permit none of you to triumph in my weakness, and enjoy success in my discomposure. At an early period of my connexion with the regiment, I was apprised, by indubitable manifestations, of the feelings entertained toward me; and was disposed, for a time, to || consult my comfort and your desires by departure from among you. My inclinations were overruled by the advice of others more experienced than myself, and I have remained. I have never injured one of you, in word or deed. No one of you can convict me of the slightest violation of the strictest courtesy; and, while I regret the perversity which expends itself on an innocent object, I will also add, that I am surprised at their undignified and ungenerous cabals, in veteran English officers. I have no feeling deeper than that. Permit me, gentlemen, to take my leave."

The rebuke of Colonel Saltram, the host, expressed in the commencement of Endsleigh's address, was deeply felt-deeply as it was deserved. But it is manifest that he who could forget the first principles of courtesy, and lend himself to measures so degrading, as those in which he was now a prominent actor, could not properly apEndsleigh had never accustomed himself to strong po- || preciate honorable reproof; and while his self-esteem was tations. At the toasts already drunk, he had only moist- || humbled to the very dust by the stinging correction, it ened his lips. He detested nothing more than the beast- || enkindled the fiercest fires of hatred, and an eager longliness of drunkenness; he viewed it as no venial crime, to steal from the mind those attributes which make man a-kin to his Creator. It may be that the proposer of the latter toast had noticed his continence, and, aware of Leland's suspicious and inflammatory nature, had employed this expedient to expedite the contemplated quarrel. Certain it is that when, according to his usual custom, Endsleigh replaced his glass upon the table without having sensibly diminished its contents, while every other drained his to the last drop, Leland started up with diabolical rage painted on his livid features, with protruding eye and clenched fists, and in utterance impeded by passion, exclaimed:

"An open, deliberate insult, by! Major Endsleigh you have not drunk your wine, and I will have satisfaction!"

"Yes! yes! An insult! Satisfaction! satisfaction!" were the exclamations of one and another; and Leland, resting his fist upon the table, eyed his antagonist with a fiery glance of malignity. Endsleigh calmly rose, and bowed to the whole table.

"Gentlemen," said he, "if I have unintentionally offended, I am extremely ready to apologize; and let me be believed, when I say, that an insult or slight was the farthest thing from my thoughts."

So saying he lifted his glass, which he filled to the brim, and proposing, "The best health of Captain Leland," he drained it to the bottom; and then bowing again, without a quiver of voice, or a trembling nerve, he continued

"I will not profess that I have not felt the spirit of many remarks, that have been made at this table to-day; and I cannot refrain from expressing my surprise, that,

ing for revenge. When, therefore, Endsleigh, leaving his
hearers mute with astonishment, turned toward the door
to retire, he exclaimed with a smile of bitterness,
"Not until we have filled our glasses to your health.
Oblige me by tarrying a few moments. Gentlemen, the
health of Major Endsleigh!"

Endsleigh, bowing acquiescence, but without a word, returned to his seat. The company, appreciating Colonel Saltram's sarcastic tone, could not comprehend that he intended to receive Endsleigh's rebuke, by actually fulfilling his friendly proposition. They waited, therefore, to receive their cue from him; and they were correct in their hesitation. He had no sooner proposed Endsleigh's health, as narrated, than he turned his empty glass upside down, with an accompanying hiss. The action was imitated by the most, and the hiss re-echod, while but a few, propitiated by the major's noble demeanor drank, in good faith, to his health. Endsleigh stood up again, in the midst of the utter silence that ensucd. The demonstration of enmity, just exhibited, was too glaring and galling, too, to be unnoticed, and he did not attempt to disguise his indignation and anger.

"Colonel Saltram," said he, "I forgive you for this, if you can forgive yourself. Am I in the company of gentlemen? I begin to doubt it. I cannot believe you to be in the exercise of your full senses; and such are unworthy of anger. Gentlemen, from my soul I pity you-as some day or other you will, in humiliation, pity yourselves!"

He turned again to the door, his conduct inexplicable to men, who had taught themselves to regard an arbitrary code of false honor as the vade mecum of the soldier; and were incapable of comprehending any revenge,