It will not be necessary, for the purpose of this history, to follow
out very closely all the adventures which occurred to Mrs. Catherine
from the period when she quitted the "Bugle" and became the
Captain's lady; for although it would be just as easy to show as
not, that the young woman, by following the man of her heart, had
only yielded to an innocent impulse, and by remaining with him for a
certain period, had proved the depth and strength of her affection
for him,--although we might make very tender and eloquent apologies
for the error of both parties, the reader might possibly be
disgusted at such descriptions and such arguments: which, besides,
are already done to his hand in the novel of "Ernest Maltravers"
before mentioned.

From the gentleman's manner towards Mrs. Catherine, and from his
brilliant and immediate success, the reader will doubtless have
concluded, in the first place, that Gustavus Adolphus had not a very
violent affection for Mrs. Cat; in the second place, that he was a
professional lady-killer, and therefore likely at some period to
resume his profession; thirdly, and to conclude, that a connection
so begun, must, in the nature of things, be likely to end speedily.

And so, to do the Count justice, it would, if he had been allowed to
follow his own inclination entirely; for (as many young gentlemen
will, and yet no praise to them) in about a week he began to be
indifferent, in a month to be weary, in two months to be angry, in
three to proceed to blows and curses; and, in short, to repent most
bitterly the hour when he had ever been induced to present Mrs.
Catherine the toe of his boot, for the purpose of lifting her on to
his horse.