"What did I tell you, young one?" he said to the man who had addressed
him just before; "it will be warmer work than the old Phoenix
field-days; but one comfort is, it won't last so long."
Before the words were fairly uttered the trumpets rang out; and with a
gayer laugh on his lip than it had worn for many a day, the Cool Captain
led his squadron gallantly into Aceldama.
We will not describe the charge. Enthusiasts are not wanting who would
rather have ridden in it than have won the highest distinction to which
civilians can aspire. Who dares to object that it was not ultimately
successful? Such a taunt has never been weighed in the balance against
the glories of Thermopylae. I frequently meet in society one of the
Paladins of that fatal Roncesvalles. In private life he has few
peculiarities, except a tendency to engage in each and every game of
chance, and a perfect monomania for waltzing. Yet I regard him with an
immense respect and reverence, that the object of the feeling would be
the last to understand. I think of the awful peril out of which the
delicate, feminine face has come without a scar; and I protest I would
no more dream of speaking to him angrily or slightingly, than I would
venture to discourse about the Derby to the Bishop of O----, or to offer
to that dignified prelate the current odds against the favorite.
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