Page:Duty and Inclination 1.pdf/349

Rh door gently opened, and twice had the man thrust in his head, and peeped behind the wide opening made by its worn-out hinges, or skulked near to where he sat, stretched on the bench, his body supported by the wall; at last, starting up, the General's glance of fire fell upon that face of low cunning and mischievous expression.

"Villain!" exclaimed he, "what brings you here?"

"No offence, plase your honour; I came but to see if your honour slept."

"My aid-de-camp—my attendants!—where are they?" furiously rejoined the General.

"Without, an plase your honour; they be about kaping a look-out, as your honour desired."

"Whatever your design was, scoundrel, in breaking in upon me," said the General, "you may suppose it to be hidden in your own dark breast, but"—he hesitated ere he proceeded, thinking it better to make his way out of the house, rather than give aggravation to the villain's murderous designs.

Descending therefore the broken staircase, he flung open the outer door, when he was joined by those he sought, and to whom he instantly communicated his conviction that the rebel from whose hands he had just escaped had deceived him.

"The hour of halting has not yet expired,"