Page:Tales of my landlord (Volume 3).djvu/146

 "I would entreat that Serjeant Francis Stuart might command the auxiliaries whom you are so good as to add to the garrison of our people; it may serve to legitimate his promotion, and I have a prejudice in favour of his noble birth."

"The serjeant's wars are ended, ma- dam," said Grahame, in an unaltered tone, "and he now needs no promotion that an earthly master can give."

"Pardon me," said Major Bellenden, taking Claverhouse by the arm, and turning him away from the ladies, "but I am anxious for my friends; I fear you have other and more important loss. I observe another officer carries your nephew's standard."

"You are right, Major Bellenden," answered Claverhouse firmly; "my nephew is no more. He has died in his duty as be- came him."

"Great God!" exclaimed the Major, "how unhappy!—the handsome, gallant, high-spirited youth!"