No sooner had our friendly hero heard him to the end, than impatient to congratulate him, he exclaimed--And what would you have more to assure you, that you have gained the prize, and all your wishes, all your hopes are crowned? Now all this I could have told you, had I not been a little too much of a man of honour to betray family secrets, but the wretched suicide, who lies in yonder guard-house, made no secret of declaring before he died, that Maria Devereux scrupled not to avow her fixed attachment to the unknown officer, who had saved her life. Can you want any further evidence, or would you have her to proclaim her passion for you in the public square by sound of bell? Do you require the father to fall upon his knees to you, and petition you to save his daughter’s life? Something a little short of this, methinks, if I can comprehend that note, he has already done. Now then, puissant conqueror, sally forth in all your pomp of triumph, and receive into your arms the loveliest girl (excepting always her whom I should still except, was the whole world of beauty ranged before me) that ever I beheld. I did not think I could have felt such joy on this side those old towers, in which my heart is lodged. Oh my dear Wilson, let me be the bearer of these joyous tidings to your beloved, your delighted father, to my old darling grandsires, to my sainted aunt and to my lovely my betrothed Amelia. My work is done. I’ll quicken my departure. The name of the sub-minister was now announced to Major Wilson, and De Lancaster took his leave. CHAPTER II. _Major Wilson visits Mr. Devereux. John De Lancaster briefly recites the History of Amelia Jones._ A grave and courtier-like gentleman presented himself to Major Wilson, and with much deliberation informed him, that his most faithful majesty, having resolved to repair to Elvas for the purpose of reviewing the combined forces there assembled, had signified his royal pleasure, that a British officer, not below the rank of major of cavalry, should be sought out to attend upon him as one of his aid-de-camps on that occasion; and that he, Major Wilson, having been recommended as an officer in all respects qualified for that distinguished situation, he had now the honour to inform Major Wilson, that the king had been graciously pleased to accept his services, if it suited him to undertake the duty. Sir, replied Major Wilson, I understand it to be so much my duty to lay my poor services, at the feet of his most faithful majesty, that I cannot for a moment hesitate to profess myself ready to obey his majesty’s commands, which I beg you will be pleased to report to the minister in such terms as may best express the respectful sense, which I entertain of his excellency’s kindness and condescension.