Page:History of Sir William Wallace (2).pdf/21

                              21 morbid sensibility had evidently impaired his health, and even threatened his life, He beheld the noble possessions which had de- volved on him at the demise of his father, gradually diminish in value, through the ar- tifices of the designing, yet was devoid of the energy requisite to arrest the progress of that ruin which it was too obvious to every one was approaching. At this period, through the earnest solicitations of a friend, he accepted a lieutenancy in a regiment that was marching to Flanders ; yet even the ac- tivity and dazzling fascinations of a military life, failed to arouse him from the overpower- ing lethargy which clouded his fine mental faculties. The army was only desirable to him, inasmuch as it might prove the medium of an early termination of his sufferings.

The regiment to which he belonged was quartered at Brussels; and as a young Brit- ish officer of high birth, and unblemished reputation, admission to the first circles naturally followed. At a ball that was