garrison, where he had then taken up his almost constant abode.
It was one afternoon, when all nature seemed to slumber in a still and deep repose, when scarce a sound was heard to vibrate, even from the foaming spray of Ocean as it laved the flinty rock, or even amongst the haunts of the soldiers, or more rude and undisciplined recruits;—foreboding fears, impending destiny, seemed to hang upon the silence—prophetic seemed the pause! Suddenly an express arrives—the drawbridge is thrown down—the gates are opened, and Captain Curtis, acting aid-de-camp to the General, spurring his courser white with foam, encrusted with dust, bounding forward at full gallop as he rode, dismounted at the door of his General, urging the necessity of an immediate interview. He was ushered breathless into the drawing-room, where Mrs. De Brooke, beguiled by the calm serenity of the evening, had sat later than usual at her tea-table. Captain Curtis, politely declining her offered cup, retired with the General, and entered at once upon the business which had caused his return to the Fort at so sudden and unexpected an hour.
Captain Curtis had been for a short time profiting by a leave of absence to reside with his family
