It was simply from an accidental circumstance that--" "Then, report yourself at your quarters as under arrest." "But, my lord--" said Picton.

Lord Wellington waited not for the explanation, but walked firmly forward, and strode into the church.

The staff followed in silence, Picton turning one look of kindness on me as he went, as though to say, "I'll not forget you." "The devil take it," cried I, as I found myself once more alone, "but I'm unlucky! What would turn out with other men the very basis of their fortune, is ever with me the source of ill-luck." It was evident, from Picton's account, that I had distinguished myself in the breach; and yet nothing was more clear than that my conduct had displeased the commander-in-chief.

Picturing him ever to my mind's eye as the _beau ideal_ of a military leader, by some fatality of fortune I was continually incurring his displeasure, for whose praise I would have risked my life.

"And this confounded costume--What, in the name of every absurdity, could have ever persuaded me to put it on.