ment as severe as it was unmerited,—Sir Aubrey, during the recital, betraying a warmth of feeling and energy almost equal to his own, surpassing his expectations, upholding his just indignation, attentively listening to the circumstances of the interview connected with the challenge his son had given General Haughton; and after uttering some words expressive of scorn, he added, "You have been ill-treated, scandalously ill-treated, of which there cannot be a doubt; but what an error in your judgment, Aubrey, to have quitted your post at the very moment when your command at that station was drawing to its close—what an unfortunate leave of absence was that you desired at so momentous a period!"
"Alas, Sir," replied De Brooke, "could we penetrate into the events of time, many of our greatest evils might be avoided; but this is super-human, and therefore not within the province of mortal scrutiny: my daughter's declining state of health was the cause." Sir Aubrey coldly turned aside; however he had admitted of his son's claims in other respects, the motive he had assigned for withdrawing from his command was in his estimation but little satisfactory.
He was, however, put into complete possession of all the circumstances in which originated his son's
