Great Britain -- History -- George III, 1760-1820 -- Juvenile fiction; Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Juvenile fiction
The other officers seemed much interested at the meeting between their
friend and the English captain. Captain Rochard, they said, had joined
them, and one or two had known him formerly when he was in the French
marine, and they were convinced that he would do credit to their corps.
Harry Tryon had come to the house twice before in the day to inquire for
Lucy; he now returned with the Baron de Ruvigny, who really looked
dejected and almost heartbroken at the illness of the young lady. Harry
had exchanged a few words with Mabel; they were parting words, so we
must not too curiously inquire into what was said. He had been,
however, anxious to remain a few days longer, but Lady Tryon insisted on
setting off the next day for London. He once more rejoined the Baron at
the hall-door. He found him standing with the foreign officers, whom he
had invited to spend the rest of the evening at Lynderton. Harry was of
course asked to join the party. Captain Everard was parting from them
at the hall-door, and as the light fell on Captain Rochard's features
Harry was sure that he was an old acquaintance. Captain Rochard dropped
a little behind his companions as they walked down the avenue, and Harry
took this opportunity of addressing him.
"We have met before, Captain Falwasser," said Harry; "I am sure that I
am not mistaken, and you were very kind to me on one occasion when I was
a boy."
"Ah!" answered the Captain, with a start, "that was my name; I will not
deny it; that is to say, it was my name for a time, and it may be my
name again; but at present I must beg you will know me as Captain
Rochard, the friend of your relative--is he not?--Captain Everard."
"I will be careful to obey your wishes, Captain Rochard," said Harry;
"but Captain Everard is not a relative."
Harry felt himself blushing as he said this, for he certainly hoped that
he might be so some day. Harry felt very curious to know who this
Captain Rochard could possibly be. He had known him, apparently, as the
commander of a smuggler; now he found him in the character of a military
officer. "Perhaps, after all, he may be neither one nor the other,"
thought Harry; "there is a peculiarly commanding and dignified air about
him."
The evening was spent very pleasantly, for although the young Baron was
sad at heart, he endeavoured to overcome his feelings, for the sake of
entertaining his guests, and music and pleasant conversation made the
hours pass rapidly away. The officers of the foreign legion had neither
the inclination nor the means of imitating the example of British
military officers, who at that time, and on such an occasion, would have
spent the evening in a carouse. A few glasses of lemonade was probably
the extent of the entertainment afforded by the host, or expected by the
guests.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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