Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/14

 affirmative, without the least hesitation. He affectionately embraced me:—"Then, my dearest girl, more than half of my sorrows are done away, and I will no longer conceal my situation from you. A general officer, whose arrogance far exceeded his rank, and whose fortune enabled him to support an appearance, that threw every one else at a distance from him by the superiority he assumed. This meanly proud man affected to treat his inferiors in rank and fortune with a supercilious contempt that was insupportable. It happened, that on a particular service, I was subjected to his command; I did my duty, but scorned to flatter his pride by mean flatteries or condescensions unbecoming my character. Provoked, I believe, by my conduct, yet unable to complain of any deficiencies in the services he commanded, he one day gave me three contradictory orders, before I had time to perform either, and consequently I was obliged to apply to him in person, for an explanation of the orders delivered to me.