“Nothing but his duty, I suppose you mean?”
“Duty!—What duty?”
“Why, there really are duties in this world to be performed, though a man in love is apt to forget it. Colonel Albemarle, being an officer, cannot quit his regiment till he has obtained leave of absence.”
“I am heartily glad of it,” cried Ormond—“I will make the best use of my time before he comes. But, my dear doctor, do you think Lady Annaly—do you think Sir Herbert wish it to be?”
“I really cannot tell:—I know only that he is a particular friend of Sir Herbert, and that I have heard Lady Annaly speak of him as being a young man of excellent character and high honour, for whom she has a great regard.”
Ormond sighed.
“Heaven forgive me that sigh!” said he: “I thought I never should be brought so low as to sigh at bearing of any man’s excellent character and high honour: but I certainly wish Colonel Albemarle had never been born. Heaven preserve me from envy and jealousy!”
Our young hero had need to repeat this prayer the next morning at breakfast, when Sir Herbert, on opening his letters, exclaimed, “My friend, Colonel Albemarle—”
And Lady Annaly, in a tone of joy, “Colonel Albemarle!—I hope he will soon be here.”
Sir Herbert proceeded: “Cannot obtain leave of absence yet—but lives in hopes,” said Sir Herbert, reading the letter, and handing it to his mother.