After an hour thus passed had calmed our orphan hero’s agitated mind, a word was given out at the hall door, and the centinels were heard to salute, when immediately Major Wilson was announced, and young Devereux hastened to give him welcome, and usher him into the room, where the family were assembled. The gallant soldier entered, and was followed by the officer who had received him at the door. In the act of paying his devoirs to Maria Devereux, and in the manner of her receiving him, there was an expression of surprise; and a certain instant change of countenance on both sides, which probably did not escape the notice of any one there present. It struck her father in particular so strongly, that when the blood, that had rushed into, and overspread her countenance, had now given place to an alarming paleness, he anxiously enquired if she was not suddenly taken ill. She confessed being a little sensible just then of the extraordinary heat upon letting in the outward air from the door, but that she was quite as suddenly relieved, and her looks soon testified to the truth, or, more properly speaking, the plausibility of her excuse. The Major in the mean time was not wholly unembarrassed, neither did he give the directest answers to the many speeches, compliments and enquiries, that were successively addressed to him. As soon however as he obtained a respite, anxious to turn the general attention to some other object, than the lady, who had so lately engrossed it, he addressed himself to the young officer, whom he had introduced, and in an under-tone, that was not quite a whisper, said in his ear, familiarly laying his hand upon his shoulders--Roberts, my dear boy, I would wish you to step to the guard-house--The obedient subaltern was instantly on his legs--Nay, said the Major, I don’t want to hurry you out of this company, to which, above all others, I should be most happy and most proud to have you known, but I sincerely think it would be right for you to visit a certain person there, who earnestly solicited to see you; and being sure that what you ought to do you ever will do, I promised in your name, that you should come. Go then, and tell the officer on duty, you have my leave to be admitted to the prisoner under his charge--The young man bowed respectfully, and asked if he had any further orders. The Major upon referring to Mr. Devereux if he had any commands for the party, having received for answer that he had none, said--Take off your centinels; march them with your party to the barracks, and there dismiss them--This was answered by a second military obeisance to his commanding officer, and whilst Mr. Devereux was politely saying, that he hoped to have a better opportunity of being known to him, he made his acknowledgements with great respect, and departed. I should guess, said Edward Wilson, from what I observed of that very interesting youth, that there is something in his mind of a melancholy nature, that oppresses him.