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hundred strange…shaped boxes； providing for arrangements which had
been obsolete for more than fifty years； had an antique； and in so far a
melancholy； aspect。 But nothing could blaze more brightly and
cheerfully than the two large wax candles； or if aught could rival them； it
was the flaming； bickering fagots in the chimney； that sent at once their
gleam and their warmth through the snug apartment； which；
notwithstanding the general antiquity of its appearance； was not wanting
in the least convenience that modern habits rendered either necessary or
desirable。
〃This is an old…fashioned sleeping apartment； General；〃 said the young
lord； 〃but I hope you find nothing that makes you envy your old tobacco…
cask。〃
〃I am not particular respecting my lodgings；〃 replied the General； 〃yet
were I to make any choice； I would prefer this chamber by many degrees
to the gayer and more modern rooms of your family mansion。 Believe
me that； when I unite its modern air of comfort with its venerable antiquity；
and recollect that it is your lordship's property； I shall feel in better
quarters here than if I were in the best hotel London could afford。〃
〃I trustI have no doubtthat you will find yourself as comfortable as
I wish you； my dear General；〃 said the young nobleman； and once more
bidding his guest good…night； he shook him by the hand； and withdrew。
The General once more looked round him； and internally
congratulating himself on his return to peaceful life； the comforts of which
were endeared by the recollection of the hardships and dangers he had
lately sustained； undressed himself； and prepared for a luxurious night's
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rest。
Here； contrary to the custom of this species of tale； we leave the
General in possession of his apartment until the next morning。
The company assembled for breakfast at an early hour； but without the
appearance of General Browne； who seemed the guest that Lord
Woodville was desirous of honouring above all whom his hospitality had
assembled around him。 He more than once expressed surprise at the
General's absence； and at length sent a servant to make inquiry after him。
The man brought back information that General Browne had been walking
abroad since an early hour of the morning； in defiance of the weather；
which was misty and ungenial。
〃The custom of a soldier；〃 said the young nobleman to his friends。
〃Many of them acquire habitual vigilance； and cannot sleep after the early
hour at which their duty usually commands them to be alert。〃
Yet the explanation which Lord Woodville thus offered to the company
seemed hardly satisfactory to his own mind； and it was in a fit of silence
and abstraction that he waited the return of the General。 It took place
near an hour after the breakfast bell had rung。 He looked fatigued and
feverish。 His hair； the powdering and arrangement of which was at this
time one of the most important occupations of a man's whole day； and
marked his fashion as much as in the present time the tying of a cravat； or
the want of one； was dishevelled； uncurled； void of powder； and dank with
dew。 His clothes were huddled on with a careless negligence； remarkable
in a military man； whose real or supposed duties are usually held to
include some attention to the toilet； and his looks were haggard and
ghastly in a peculiar degree。
〃So you have stolen a march upon us this morning； my dear General；〃
said Lord Woodville； 〃or you have not found your bed so much to your
mind as I had hoped and you seemed to expect。 How did you rest last
night？〃
〃Oh； excellently well！ remarkably well！ never better in my life；〃
said General Browne rapidly； and yet with an air of embarrassment which
was obvious to his friend。 He then hastily swallowed a cup of tea； and
neglecting or refusing whatever else was offered； seemed to fall into a fit
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of abstraction。
〃You will take the gun to…day； General？〃 said his friend and host； but
had to repeat the question twice ere he received the abrupt answer； 〃No；
my lord； I am sorry I cannot have the opportunity of spending another day
with your lordship； my post horses are ordered； and will be here directly。〃
All who were present showed surprise； and Lord Woodville
immediately replied 〃Post horses； my good friend！ What can you
possibly want with them when you promised to stay with me quietly for at
least a week？〃
〃I believe；〃 said the General； obviously much embarrassed； 〃that I
might； in the pleasure of my first meeting with your lordship； have said
something about stopping here a few days； but I have since found it
altogether impossible。〃
〃That is very extraordinary；〃 answered the young nobleman。 〃You
seemed quite disengaged yesterday； and you cannot have had a summons
to…day； for our post has not come up from the town； and therefore you
cannot have received any letters。〃
General Browne； without giving any further explanation； muttered
something about indispensable business； and insisted on the absolute
necessity of his departure in a manner which silenced all opposition on the
part of his host； who saw that his resolution was taken； and forbore all
further importunity。
〃At least； however；〃 he said； 〃permit me； my dear Browne； since go
you will or must； to show you the view from the terrace； which the mist；
that is now rising； will soon display。〃
He threw open a sash…window； and stepped down upon the terrace as
he spoke。 The General followed him mechanically； but seemed little to
attend to what his host was saying； as； looking across an extended and rich
prospect； he pointed out the different objects worthy of observation。
Thus they moved on till Lord Woodville had attained his purpose of
drawing his guest entirely apart from the rest of the company； when；
turning round upon him with an air of great solemnity； he addressed him
thus：
〃Richard Browne； my old and very dear friend； we are now alone。 Let
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me conjure you to answer me upon the word of a friend； and the honour of
a soldier。 How did you in reality rest during last night？〃
〃Most wretchedly indeed； my lord；〃 answered the General； in the same
tone of solemnity〃so miserably； that I would not run the risk of such a
second night； not only for all the lands belonging to this castle； but for all
the country which I see from this elevated point of view。〃
〃This is most extraordinary；〃 said the young lord； as if speaking to
himself； 〃then there must be something in the reports concerning that
apartment。〃 Again turning to the General； he said； 〃Fo