as he laid his hand upon the shoulder of the emaciated
De Haldimar, "consider you are not alone. For God's sake,
check this weakness! There are men observing you on every
side, and your strange manner has already been the subject
of remark in the company."

"When the heart is sick, like mine," replied the youth,
in a tone of fearful despondency, "it is alike reckless
of forms, and careless of appearances. I trust, however,"
and here spoke the soldier, "there are few within this
fort who will believe me less courageous, because I have
been seen to bend my knee in supplication to my God. I
did not think that YOU, Blessington, would have been the
first to condemn the act."

"I condemn it, Charles! you mistake me, indeed you do,"
feelingly returned his captain, secretly pained at the
mild reproach contained in the concluding sentence; "but
there are two things to be considered. In the first
instance, the men, who are yet in ignorance of the great
evils with which we are threatened, may mistake the cause
of your agitation; you were in tears just now, Charles,
and the sentinels must have remarked it as well as myself.
I would not have them to believe that one of their officers
was affected by the anticipation of coming disaster, in
a way their own hearts are incapable of estimating. You
understand me, Charles? I would not have them too much
discouraged by an example that may become infectious."

"I DO understand you, Blessington," and a forced and