Now then, she said, I am understood at last, and it is not the first proof I have received how slowly merit finds that secret out, which impudence and vanity pretend at the first glance to see through, and interpret in their own favour. You are a soldier, and modesty of mind is ever found with manliness and valour: you must be still a soldier: I’ll not ask you to sacrifice your honour and your occupation: ’tis for your country’s service you were born; that is your character; in that you shine, to that you must adhere, and never for an instant fly your post, but when you fly to save a fellow creature, as you did me. If you suspect me weak enough to sigh for any honours greater than to share your fortune, any pleasures beyond those, which your approving smile will ever give me, any self-consequence above the honest pride, that I shall feel to hear your praises, you mistake me wholly. Don’t think that I will borrow from my father’s stores to dazzle you with diamonds; no; not one, had he a mine, would I consent to wear, unless by your command, and that I think will never be your wish to lay upon me, whilst there are nobler graces and adornments within my reach far more becoming of a soldier’s wife. What answer Major Wilson made to this, how the dialogue was carried on during the time the lovers were alone, as likewise how much shorter, or how much longer, that time seemed to them to be than it really was, must be left as matter of conjecture, which the imagination of the reader will readily supply without referring to the chess board to fill it up, as there is authority to say that game was not by either party proposed to be renewed. Happiness sanctioned by paternal authority, and virtuous love unchecked by the demurs of honour, filled the brave heart of Wilson with delight, and he heard an early day announced by Devereux for the sure tying of that sacred knot, which nothing but the hand of death should sever, though in too many cases it has proved a slip knot in the fingers of the law. CHAPTER IV. _John De Lancaster embarks for England, accompanied by his Friend the Reverend Mr. Wilson. Conversation on the Passage._