The Soldier's Wife — page 41: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

£0 | This little incident took place so rapidly that the sergeant noticed it not: he was looking straight forward as he m: arched along with true military precision, his cane tapping the pathway simultaneously with the tread of his footsteps, and his tongue all the while giving vent to his wonted inflations respecting wig soldier’s life and the wonders he had seen in foreign countries. But how chevred was Rcdariok Lonsdale by that little circumstance! It was a sign to con- vince him that the meeting of the previous even- Ing remained unsus pected by Mr, Davis, and thi. it nothing was ehanves in the arrangements between hime elf and his well-beloved. Lighter grew his heart and hehter too his footsteps, as ie proceeded inwards the Manor in company with Sergeant Langley. In another quarter of an hour the front entrance was reached ; and the hall-porter, flaming ina scarlet coat and yellow- plush kreeches, at once condueted Mr, Langley and Frederick to a parlor where Sir Archibald was accustomed to transact whatsoever magis- terial business came under his cognizance. ‘lhe sorter bade them wait a few minutes, while he went to inform Sir Archibald of their arrival. They were not kept in attendance long: for Sir Archibald Redburn soon made his appearance, with a port as stately even as that of the ser- geeaut himself. He suffered no sign of what he inwardly felt to appear upon “his counte- nance, as be acknowle dged the sergeant’s mili- tary bow, and then took his seat at the head of the table: but in his heart he experienced a se- cret pleasure at the idea of-so troublesome a character as he considered Lonsdale to be, having fallen into the fangs of enlistment. Frederick had for courtesy’s sake bowed re- spectfully : but the Baronet took not the slight- est notice of hrm. “Now, what is this?” he asked, arranging some papers on the desk before him. “I sup- ose it’s another recruiting case.” “Ttis, Sir Archibald,” rephed Langley, who stood drawn up in the “first position,” to use a technical phrase borrowed from his own maill- tary sphere. “ Well,’ resumed the Baronet, addressing Lonsdale, “here’s the thirty- Hourdh elaneeior the Mutiny Act, and which it is my duty to make to you:’—then have read it over, Sir Archibald continued, “I need not ask your fame nor condition, because | know them both. But I must inquire whether you voluntarily 2nlisted ? “J did, Sir Arehibald Redburn,” replied Lonsdale. “ But with your permission—— f “Don’t interrupt me now,” said the magis- trate sternly. “ Wait till you are questioned. lam going to read to you the Articles of War in respect to mutiny and desertion; and then you will have to take the oath of allegianee, which I shall administer.” “But, Sir Archibald Redburn,” again inter- jected Lonsdale, “ 1 think I can save you some trouble i “Veh, what?’ exclaimed the Baronet: “you surely are not going to carry your rebellious principles so far as to refuse the oath 4” “Why, Tam astonished at you, Lonsdale,” eaid the sergeant, tapping his cane upon the THE SOLDIER'S. WIFE. carpet with sufficient violence _to drive a hole through it. “Ig there not, Sir Archibald some “other clause in that Act, ” inquired Frederick calmly, “whieh you are likewise bound to communi- cate ?”’ “Well, here’s the thirty-fifth clause,” ejaeu- lated the Baronet, petulantly ; for he began to think that Lonsdale meant. to withdraw from his eng: iement. But it’s a mere matter of form—the ‘re’s nothing really In it———” “ Nevertheless, sir,’ observed Lonsdale firmly, “with your permission I should like to hear it read,” “Oh, I will tell you the substance,” exclaimed the Baronet :*then with a very ill grace, he continued to observe, “The whole tenor of the thirty-fifth clause is this—that a person declar- ing his dissent from his enlistment, and on re- turning the enlisting-money, with twenty shill- Ings In addition for the expenses incurred on his account, and the sergeant’s fees, shall be for thwith discharged. “| “ And is there no specified delay allowed for the payment of this money ?” asked Lonsdale. “Why, but you are not going to shirk off?” exclaimed Sergeant Langley, becoming as red as a turkey cock, “It would be a most rascally proceeding if he did,” said the Baronet with a brow-beating air. “Come, no more of. this nonsense, bub listen while I read fs “{ beg your pardon, Sty Archibald—I do dissent from this enlistment,” exclaimed Fred- erick; “and moreover I demand a delay of twenty-four hours to pay the smart-money.” “Well, this is the shabbiest, dirtiest thing I ever knew in all my life,” said Mr, Langley: and again the stout stick was jobbed down upon the floor, “ And pray, what is the reason, sirrah, that you have made a fool of this person wko 1s in his Majesty’s service, and have likewise stulti- fied me who hold the commission of the peace ? Come, sir—atone for your impertinence at once —take the oath of allegiance and have dones with it. enlist ?” “With all due respect, sir, Ihave changed my mind,” answered Frederick. “Iam truly sorry that I should have given the recrulding- sergeant any trouble in the matter “Well, there’s enough of it,” e} Baronet, rising from his seat; “an door, sirrah. Good morning to you. But mind, Frederick Lonsdale, if that money is not paid into the sergeant’s hand j In the presence of a witness by ten o’cloek to morrow morn- ing,” continued the Baronet, looking at his Wi atch, “you will have to be brought up before me again; and then if you don't take the oath of allegn ance, I will commit you to prison, where you will stay till you do,” Frederick Lonsdale made no reply to this speech, but passed out of the room, closely fol- lowed by the sergeant, whose countenance wore a very awful aspect, They threaded the hall, and issued forth from the mansion, “ Now, you rascal,” said Langley, “ how dare you gammon me in this manner “y You infernal Eomicbooks What other chance have you but te lated the there’s the sergeant.