Page:Duty and Inclination 1.pdf/344

336 with all diligence for the Fort, where he himself awaited their arrival, and was in readiness to head them, that with so considerable a reinforcement, in addition to those he had sent forward to reconnoitre, he might be enabled to make a successful attack upon the enemy.

These important orders were dispatched; and after an anxious interval of two hours, when evening had spread her sombre hues upon the earth, the stillness that had succeeded to the previous bustle was interrupted on a sudden by the arrival of the forces, and all was again in immediate motion; again the rattling of the artillery, the clash of arms, struck like a discordant knell upon the ears of Mrs. De Brooke. By an order from the General, the troops had halted beyond the drawbridge, where, every arrangement being made, accompanied by his aid-de-camp, he hastened to join them, giving but one parting embrace to his afflicted wife. With straining eyes she strove to catch the last parting glimpse of him who was all the world to her, but he had fled; he had turned the corner of the magazine, well stored with ammunition, and whose doors were now closing, having been opened to deal out the means of warfare.

The words "Tomorrow we shall meet again!" left on Mrs. De Brooke's ear their echo; they