"I say, Denville," said young McSpadden, a boy-faced ensign, who
had just joined, "you'll represent the estate in the Army, if you
won't in the House." Poor fellow, he paid for his meaningless joke
with his life, for I shot him through the heart the next morning.
"You're a good fellow, Denville," said the poor boy faintly, as I
knelt beside him: "good by!" For the first time since my
grandfather's death I wept. I could not help thinking that I would
have been a better man if Blanche--but why proceed? Was she not
now in Florence--the belle of the English Embassy?
But Napoleon had returned from Elba. Europe was in a blaze of
excitement. The Allies were preparing to resist the Man of
Destiny. We were ordered from Gibraltar home, and were soon again
en route for Brussels. I did not regret that I was to be placed in
active service. I was ambitious, and longed for an opportunity to
distinguish myself. My garrison life in Gibraltar had been
monotonous and dull. I had killed five men in duel, and had an
affair with the colonel of my regiment, who handsomely apologized
before the matter assumed a serious aspect. I had been twice in
love. Yet these were but boyish freaks and follies.
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