Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/18

 the fairest portion of it, we reserve for our happiness."

—"Shall I," said Jago, "communicate part of our story to this gentlemen?"—She nodded assent, played with her children, stole at times, unperceived, out of the cot, and seemed only to take a distant interest in the account.

"—We are both of a noble origin," continued Jago; "but you'll permit me, Sennor, to conceal the names of our families. My youth had nothing interesting in it; being the fifth and youngest son, and no great provision of course made for me, to support the character of a nobleman, my parents resolved to consecrate me to the service of the church. But my inclination was for the army, and fortune favored my wishes. I rose from a cadet to the rank of lieutenant; and a rebellion in New Spain demanding some forces to quell it, my regiment was ordered to march to Cadiz to embark for foreign service, and I obtained the command of a company. Meanwhile the avisos, destined to facilitate the arrival of the galleons, being detained by