8th September 1806, "I wish you many happy returns of to-day. There's a present which will give you genuine pleasure," he w

me no more-at least, not as a fifth-form boy-for had I not suddenly blossomed into a subaltern in his Majesty's

odesty; but the congratulations of the ladies were turned into lamentations when Sir John

rs welling up into her eyes, "are we

" chorused my

etorted my father. "The 35th lost a good many men at Maida-egad! I wish I had been there-and a draft is going out to fill up the gaps. Tom will sail wi

you, John!" said my

ra; "have you forgotten that Kate

g abroad again so soon," added Annie;

med Sir John, looking very guilty. "Poor Katie! she w

from the ladies, and muttering something about being "

, with whom he was a great favourite. Holroyd now commanded the light company of the 35th, and was home on sick leave, in consequence of a wound received a

ench to leave the dear ones at home, and both Charles Holroyd and I were in very subdued spirits when we jumped into the post-chaise which was to take us to Gravesend, there

dle of November that we disembarked at Messina, where the headquarters and flank companies of the 35th were stationed. I received a cordial welcome f

reat honour for a newly-fledged ensign, though one I owed rather to Holro

into the mysteries of drill, guards, &c., and at

I remained at Messina, but will pass at once to an adventure which be

d Egypt. After a while we began to see less of De Vignes, and his evening visits almost entirely ceased; though, when we did meet, he was as pleasant and companionable as ever. One night, towards the end of January 1807, I was returning to my quarters, after visiting a brother subaltern at the other side of the town. Part of my way lay along a lonely road, skirting the garden walls of a convent, in which many young Sicilian ladies of noble family were domiciled. I had near

n forward to the

whom I had rendered such timely aid; "you have save

cried, recogn

wiping the blade of his sword. "I shall n

the ruffians

gnes, shrugging his shoulders. And stooping

killed him

d might be saved if we

business," I remarked, wishing that my frie

ay as well try to save his life. Will you go for help? There is a house some fifty yards do

er ruffians retu

ray you, or this unhappy wretch will bleed to death." Thus exhorted, I started

my astonishment, that both De Vignes and the wounded robber had disappeared-not a trac

to bed when I returned, and t

that our French friend sent you on a fool's errand

ered. "Shall I make an off

the colonel says,

ce T-- was missing from the convent, and one of his Highness's servants had been fo

aid my captain when we heard the news. "They were probably watched and

ertain

and his assailants having fled, De Vignes wanted to rejoin the girl without your knowledge; so he sent you off on pretence of seek

ident, for we saw no more of Eugene de Vignes in Messin