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338
DUTY AND INCLINATION.

the cause in which he had engaged, the General poured forth the most passionate invectives.

"I am betrayed!" exclaimed he; "my honour is compromised! I, who have always served my King with credit—what is life to me? I have never shrunk from danger, nor shall I now from death, let it come but with glory! Nothing remains, from the disobedience of my orders by Major Harrold, but to advance, let what will be the result!"

The General proceeded a few paces, and then called to his men to halt; he listened, anxious to catch some sound that might re-assure him that all was as it should be; the sound of steps, foretelling the approach of men, was all he heard; the night he considered would soon give place to the rising morn, when his troops must necessarily be in action, and might require some previous rest ere encountering the enemy.

Thus reflecting, he decided they should halt for the space of one hour; when, dismounting, he gave his horse to his orderly, and entered with his aid-de-camp a small farm-house, being officiously invited to do so by the owner, who, instantly upon the drawing near of the troops, had appeared on the look-out.

Under the most painful solicitude, the General asked him hastily whether a military force had