“How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds,
“Makes deeds ill done!”
Wearied with walking, he bethought himself where he should go for the night. Not to the barracks. How could he sleep under the same roof with that villain? The very sight of him would goad him on to commit some indecorum before the others. Should he go to his friend Cosin’s? No! Something within made him shrink from encountering, in his present temper, that tranquil eye. He would be all for peace; and what had he to do with peace while her dishonour (as he put it) was unavenged, as well as his own.
However, to walk about all night, especially when by yourself, is not pleasant. Alas, for those who have to do it, and with no relief to come its rounds! So Tournier determined to get quarters at the “Wheat Sheaf,” and knocked the landlord up, as it was past midnight.
Next morning he went to the barracks, and sent in his name to the commandant, asking for an interview. Major Kelly looked surprised; it was not the usual way of approach.
“I am very sorry, sir,” said Tournier, “to trouble you in this irregular way; but the fact is, I am in great perplexity as to what I ought to do, and could not explain myself first to anyone else.”
“What is your difficulty, Captain Tournier?” said the major, rather coldly.
“Among the prisoners who arrived yesterday was a certain Colonel Fontenoy, who is my bitterest enemy, having wronged me past all endurance. I cannot be in the same quarters with him. Could you do me the very great kindness of putting me into one of the other wards, even though it be that of common men?”
Major Kelly paused awhile, as if thinking. “Is this Colonel Fontenoy,” he said, at length, “the same man as he who did indeed wrong you so shamefully, and drove you to desperation?”
“The very same.”
“When you first spoke,” said the major, “I was going to say that it was quite out of my power to arrange the prisoners with exact regard,