"Do either of you fancy that I want courage to face a
positive danger, because I may not happen to have any
particular vulgar predilection for early rising?"

"Nonsense, Valletort, nonsense," interrupted, in accents
of almost feminine sweetness, his friend Lieutenant
Charles de Haldimar, the youngest son of the Governor:
"Murphy is an eternal echo of the opinions of those who
look forward to promotion; and as for Delme--do you not
see the drift of his observation? Should you retire, as
you have threatened, of course another lieutenant will
be appointed in your stead; but, should you chance to
lose your scalp during the struggle with the savages,
the step goes in the regiment, and he, being the senior
ensign, obtains promotion in consequence."

"Ah!" observed Captain Blessington, "this is indeed the
greatest curse attached to the profession of a soldier.
Even among those who most esteem, and are drawn towards
each other as well by fellowship in pleasure as
companionship in danger, this vile and debasing principle
--this insatiable desire for personal advancement--is
certain to intrude itself; since we feel that over the
mangled bodies of our dearest friends and companions, we
can alone hope to attain preferment and distinction."

A moment or two of silence ensued, in the course of which
each individual appeared to be bringing home to his own
heart the application of the remark just uttered; and
which, however they might seek to disguise the truth from