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expression of friendship, of interest, and esteem combined with affection for his sister, he yet declined interfering in the business; for, as he explained to his hasty friend, he should not consider himself justified in entering the lists against Mr. Yorke, after his unspeakable kindness to Emily. Neither could he oppose the happiness of his only near and dear relation; but, at the same time, he assured him, that, could Mr. Yorke be induced to comply, he might depend upon his concurrrence in any measure where his sister's happiness was concerned. He ventured to hope Ernest would be more steady, or he could not think the union, if it should take place, would be a happy one. This imputation, however just, added to his refusal to oppose Mr. Yorke, by no means pleased Ernest, though he restrained his feelings; and less cordiality and intercourse was the consequence at the time, which Ernest's imprisonment afterwards prolonged.

During that and the succeeding campaigns, Conrad's star of reputation was constantly on the ascendant; and neither his own, nor his friend's expectations for him were disappointed. Yet, while glory and honour shone bright around

his path, and to the eye of his companions he was ever gay; anxiety lurked within the bosom of the gallant young officer. He was attached to his home by every feeling worthy a generous mind, by the most imperative calls of gratitude, love, and duty; it may, therefore, be easily imagined with what pain and grief he received his friend's false accusations of neglect. At first, he naturally attributed the loss of his letters to accident, from the state of war in which Europe was plunged, and endeavoured by a more frequent correspondence to redeem his character; but in vain: though he availed himself of every possible conveyance, every letter from home brought renewed complaints, distressing him alike by their severity and injustice.

Towards the middle of the second year of his absence, while still suffering from a wound he had received in an affair of skirmishers, a letter from Mr. Yorke reached him, upbraiding him for his conduct in the severest terms, telling him that the accounts received of him were far from satisfactory; that Mr. Camden considered his silence as the effect of selfish prosperity and base ingratitude; and concluded by assuring him, that, unless an immediate and satisfactory

answer were obtained, he need never trouble himself to return at any future period to C———. Grief and indignation produced by this cruel sentence brought on a raging fever, from which Conrad did not recover for several weeks, sufficiently to write an expostulation and reiterated refutation of these charges. As he advanced towards convalescence, many and grievous were the hours he passed, ruminating on the injustice of his friends in England, for whose conduct he could assign no reason, as he felt perfectly exempt from all blame. A deep sense of injury and wounded pride warped the better impulses of his nature; and, with indignant impetuosity, he resolved, that, as accident had prevented his replying to Mr. Yorke's letter immediately on its receipt, he would trouble himself no farther about it. Armed with this resolution, he prepared to resume his duties, and determined by active employment to drown care and

sorrow.

Blessington was sitting in his quarters, the evening preceding the day of his departure, his mind still fixed upon home and its inmates, when his friend, Colonel Taylor, entered. He was a middle-aged man, whose countenance gave

evidence of a long and intimate acquaintance with the hardships and dissipation of his profession. Eagerly sought as a companion, from his lively wit, fund of anecdote, and good spirits, he never refused, indeed rather courted, the nightly debauch or midnight revel, in which he was sometimes suspected of wishing to drown the past, present, and future; for it was frequently observed, that a shade of melancholy would overspread his countenance, even in his gayest moments, and not unfrequently, he had been surprised indulging a gloomy solitude. On every thing relating to himself, however, he was silent; and no one sought the cause of a circumstance so unimportant to his companions, who had no reason to disapprove his conduct, either in the field or camp. He had accompanied his regiment to Spain in the beginning of the preceding year; where the interest he had before testified for our hero rapidly increased, and a friendship, as firm as the difference of their ages and the length of their acquaintance permitted, soon sprung up between them. The same cause which had prevented Conrad from continuing at his post, had also detained the Colonel; but, being re-established,

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it was their intention to proceed together to their respective duties.

"What, still out of spirits, Blessington? I thought you had determined to cast off care with your last bandage;" said he, on his en

trance.

"Faith! so I had, Taylor; but the injustice of those we love will still obtrude itself in our solitary moments."

"You should, then, have followed my advice, and written home, as soon as you were sufficiently recovered to do so;" returned his friend.

"Do you think, after such a letter, I would write to my illiberal friends?" said Conrad, indignantly. "Relations I have none; my only sister and dearest friend have most likely imbibed the same unkind opinion of me; so

< I am in the wide world alone.'

No, my dear sir! I will not cringe to my friends, when I have not done any thing to deserve their censure. Thank Heaven! I can keep my character as a soldier, and a man of honour, and can easily dispense with their good opinion; besides, of what use would my writing be, since,

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