Page:Duty and Inclination 2.pdf/102

100 And what remained for him but passively to submit? To dispute the legality of so cruel a treatment as that dealt out to him during the period of his father's provocations against him, was now impossible. Even from the grave Sir Aubrey's voice of disapprobation might sound upon his ear—he had carried his unforgiveness there!

"But no!" exclaimed the General, starting at the thought, "my father died a Christian, and I should not accuse him unjustly; my father called upon my name in his dying moments, as I have been confidently informed on indisputable evidence; his heart had returned to me; and that his fortunes also would have returned is highly probable, had those about him acted fairly, honestly, and uprightly!"

Under such aggravated calamities to himself and family, the General might have sunk into despondency, had not the Royal bounty just at that interval acted in his favour. The first governorship falling vacant had been promised for his son, and from motives of attachment to the memory of the deceased, and no longer to keep the former in uncertainty and suspense, he was immediately granted a sinecure appointment, held by military commanders of note; and as such, though not lucrative,