"I trust--I have no doubt--that you will find yourself as
comfortable as I wish you, my dear General," said the young
nobleman; and once more bidding his guest good-night, he shook
him by the hand, and withdrew.

The General once more looked round him, and internally
congratulating himself on his return to peaceful life, the
comforts of which were endeared by the recollection of the
hardships and dangers he had lately sustained, undressed himself,
and prepared for a luxurious night's rest.

Here, contrary to the custom of this species of tale, we leave
the General in possession of his apartment until the next
morning.

The company assembled for breakfast at an early hour, but without
the appearance of General Browne, who seemed the guest that Lord
Woodville was desirous of honouring above all whom his
hospitality had assembled around him. He more than once
expressed surprise at the General's absence, and at length sent a
servant to make inquiry after him. The man brought back
information that General Browne had been walking abroad since an
early hour of the morning, in defiance of the weather, which was
misty and ungenial.

"The custom of a soldier," said the young nobleman to his
friends. "Many of them acquire habitual vigilance, and cannot
sleep after the early hour at which their duty usually commands
them to be alert."