Matilda Montgomerie; Or, The Prophecy FulfilledRichardson, Major (John)
History
Matilda Montgomerie; Or, The Prophecy Fulfilled
Richardson, Major (John)
United States -- History -- War of 1812 -- Fiction
The Aid-de-camp, for in that capacity was he attached to the person of
Colonel Forrester, immediately quitted the room, and presently
afterwards returned ushering in the prisoner.
Although Gerald was dressed, as we have said, in the uniform of the
private grenadier, there was that about him which, in defiance of a
person covered from head to foot with the slimy mud of the trenches, and
a mouth black as ink with powder from the cartridges he had bitten, at
once betrayed him for something more than he appeared.
There was a pause for some moments after he entered. At length Colonel
Forrester inquired, in a voice strongly marked by surprise:
"May I ask, sir, what rank you hold in the British army?"
"But that I have unfortunately suffered more from your mud than your
fire," replied Gerald, coolly, and with undisguised bitterness of
manner, "the question would at once be answered by a reference to my
uniform."
"I understand you, sir; you would have me to infer you are what your
dress, and your dress alone, denotes--a private soldier?"
Gerald made no answer.
"Your name, soldier?"
"My name!"
"Yes; your name. One possessed of the gallantry we witnessed this day
cannot be altogether without a name."
The pale cheek of Gerald was slightly tinged. With all his grief, he
still was a man. The indirect praise lingered a moment at his heart,
then passed off with the slight blush that as momentarily dyed his
cheek.
"My name, sir, is a humble one, and little worthy to be classed with
those who have this day written theirs in the page of honor with their
heart's blood. I am called Gerald Grantham."
"Gerald Grantham!" repeated the Commandant, musingly, as though
endeavoring to bring back the recollection of such a name.
The prisoner looked at him steadfastly in return, yet without speaking.
"Is there another of your name in the British squadron?" continued
Colonel Forrester, fixing his eye full upon his prisoner.
"There are many in the British squadron whose names are unknown to me,"
replied Gerald, evasively, and faintly coloring.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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