18 FORTUNE OF WAR 



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Cest assez,' said the Emperor ; and cut short the 

 interview by ordering a cartel to be provided for me 

 without delay, contrary to his severe practice, for I was 

 the only officer sent home during the Avhole war ; as 

 you must well remember, there was no exchange of 

 prisoners allowed." 



So entertained was I with my host's discourse, that 

 it was mornino; before we retired to rest. While takino: 

 my leave of him after breakfast, and during my walk 

 to meet the coach, I could but meditate on the fortune 

 of Avar, and the opportunities the military profession 

 afforded for acquiring a knowledge of the world. 



My friend had kept the box-seat for me, and no 

 sooner had I placed myself beside him, than, anxious 

 to know how I had spent the preceding evening, he 

 asked me many questions as to my ojoinion concerning 

 my host, which I did not fail to answer in the favour- 

 able manner his handsome treatment and interestino- 

 conversation warranted. He then told me that the 

 house he occupied was his father's property, and that 

 his family, anxious to know the cause of his choosing 

 this part of the country for his abode, had discovered 

 that he was laying siege to the heart of a young heiress 

 in the neighbourhood. In the event of this ending 

 successfully, I learnt that my friend had been promised 

 the four best coach-horses England could produce. 



I thought it rather strange that the Major should 

 select for a confidant, in so serious a matter as matri- 

 mony, one of the fraternity to which I belonged. My 

 friend was, however, one of the most respectable 

 members of it, it has been my chance to know ; and 



