What signifies it, though a man should cover himself with glory, if in the end he is to be laughed at?
Well, well, it matters not much, now my soldiering's over! And yet I could have wished that the last act of my campaigning had brought with it pleasanter recollections." As thus I ruminated, the click of the soldier's musket near aroused me: Picton was passing out.

A shade of gloom and depression was visible upon his features, and his lip trembled as he muttered some sentences to himself.
"Ha! Captain--I forget the name.

Yes, Captain O'Malley; you are released from arrest.

General Crawfurd has spoken very well of you, and Lord Wellington has heard the circumstances of your case." "Is it General Crawfurd, then, that is wounded, sir ?" said I, eagerly.
Picton paused for a moment, while, with an effort, he controlled his features into their stern and impassive expression, then added hurriedly and almost harshly:-- Yes, sir; badly wounded through the arm and in the lung.

He mentioned you to the notice of the commander-in-chief, and your application for leave is granted.