CHAPTER XXVI.

THE respectful, generous, and even delicate treatment he had received at the woodman's cottage, for some time engaged Lefevre's thoughts; and then again they fell, with the force of habit, into former listlessness. The providential interference he had witnessed, however, gave birth to some slight acts of reflection. He felt the folly of exposing himself to such perilous evils as on the past night, and inwardly designed to avoid their repetition.

With this design, but without carrying out his reflections into any plan, or sorrow-fully dwelling on his nearly exhausted resources, he wandered forward towards Guildford. Twilight was resting on the surrounding hills of this fine ancient town, when he came into its neighbourhood; and he continued hovering on its skirts, till, in

the deeper duskiness of night, he could enter with greater security. On entering, he looked only for a public-house where he might rest for the night; and he passed into the first that presented itself. Colours were waving above the door, but he did not observe them; a recruiting party was within, but heedless of it, he sought a box that was unoccupied.

Not so heedless was the recruiting serjeant of Lefevre. Skilful in his employment, his eye, with an air of vacancy, ran over Lefevre as he entered, and marked all it saw. To a man of quick, but not of deep penetration, like the serjeant, there was that in his manner and features which spoke merely of indolent dissatisfaction. This, however, was enough. This disposition was the one of all others the serjeant was most shrewd in detecting, from its having been uniformly the leading object of search; and, on seeing it in Lefevre, he concluded that he was his prey.

With his thoughts on Lefevre, while he appeared careless of him, he began his He talked for some time most

attack.

merrily of the pleasure of a soldier's life; and, to inspire his companions with a warm sympathy in his assertions, he freely and more freely pushed round the intoxicating tankard. He, then, with nonchalance, introduced himself to Lefevre. He would have talked to him-but Lefevre would not talk. He would have prevailed on him to drinkbut Lefevre would not drink. All his little arts were called forth and tried; but alas! they were tried in vain. He was retreating, with that mortification which belongs to a soldier especially, who finds defeat, where he promised himself victory.

Had this officer possessed any real insight into character, he might have spared himself his vexation. He had laid siege to a heart, which, unattacked, was disposed to a voluntary surrender.

Lefevre had soon gathered, that these soldiers belonged to the regiment; part of which was quartered in the town, for a couple of days. That the remainder was coming up; that they were ordered to Canada; and that, on their way to the coast, they were looking out for a few

recruits to complete the numbers of the battalion. This he thought was the very thing he wanted. It would provide for him; it would save him the trouble of directing his own course; and, above all, it would effectually conceal him from the search of his friends. He had, however, withstood the officious manoeuvring of the serjeant; and it was not till he had proved it to be useless, that Lefevre thought of obeying the inclinations of his heart. He then freely offered himself to the party, and was immediately enlisted under a false name-Charles Lawson.

Rash as this step certainly was, and injurious as it must have been to Lefevre in any better circumstances, it was now likely to be beneficial to him, rather than the contrary. Incapable as he was to be his own master, it was well that he should be under some superior control. No ordinary authority was now equal to govern his disordered mind; but the rigid sanctions of military discipline were not to be disregarded. Soon was he exasperated at a power so coercive; often did

he sink into stubborn listlessness; but then again, the thought of shameful punishment effectually roused him. Tired of the irritation of his mind, he resigned himself to perform duties, over which he had no option. Introduced to strangers, he felt, humble as it was, he had a character to maintain; this stimulated him to proper conduct. And, to avoid all suspicion or troublesome questions, from his rude companions, he placed a strong restraint on himself; and became social and conversable, while his heart was still alienated from all society. Perhaps he smiledbut the smile fled over his face like the summer lightning over the scorched hillock. Perhaps he laughed-but the laugh was so hollow-so abrupt, as to be, to the sensible mind, the most distressing expression of deep and nameless sorrow!

Some time was consumed before Lefevre, with his regiment, reached the place of embarkation. Much as he had wished to fly his connexions and native land, his heart sickened for a moment as he glanced on the vessel, that was to trans