A grave and courtier-like gentleman presented himself to Major Wilson, and with much deliberation informed him, that his most faithful majesty, having resolved to repair to Elvas for the purpose of reviewing the combined forces there assembled, had signified his royal pleasure, that a British officer, not below the rank of major of cavalry, should be sought out to attend upon him as one of his aid-de-camps on that occasion; and that he, Major Wilson, having been recommended as an officer in all respects qualified for that distinguished situation, he had now the honour to inform Major Wilson, that the king had been graciously pleased to accept his services, if it suited him to undertake the duty.
Sir, replied Major Wilson, I understand it to be so much my duty to lay my poor services, at the feet of his most faithful majesty, that I cannot for a moment hesitate to profess myself ready to obey his majesty’s commands, which I beg you will be pleased to report to the minister in such terms as may best express the respectful sense, which I entertain of his excellency’s kindness and condescension.
I shall report to his excellency, the sub-minister made answer, exactly as you instruct me, and as I know your friend Mr. Devereux to be warmly interested in your behalf, I shall call upon that gentleman in my way, and inform him that his wishes are now happily accomplished: I have also a particular message to Mr. Devereux in command from his majesty, in whose grace and favour that very worthy gentleman stands extremely high.
The man in office bowed himself out of the room, and Wilson sate down and wrote as follows to Mr. Devereux, in answer to his note.
“Sir,
“If my diffidence caused me to decline your most obliging invitation, I am sensible no plea will excuse me, when you join authority so irresistible with your own: You will nevertheless be pleased to bear in mind, that I have confided to you my terrors, and acknowledged my unworthiness. I have just now had a visit from a gentleman in office, which convinces me that you are resolved I shall be indebted to you for favours, which I have no right to expect, but which it would have been an unpardonable presumption on my part to have withstood. I am much afraid you have recommended a very unfit person for courtly services, when I cannot find words to express to you how much I am,
Sir,
Your ever obliged and
devoted servant
Henry Wilson.”
When it was time for the Major to fulfil his engagement, and wait upon Mr. Devereux, he found the gentlemen assembled in the receiving-room, but no Maria. It is probable she had passed a little more time than was usual with her at her toilet; but her occupation there was not to find ornaments for her person, but rather to recommend herself to her expected visitor by the simplicity and modest elegance of her dress. When dinner was announced she contrived to meet the company as they passed the hall, and avoided the embarrassment of a formal entrance.
As the events, which had so lately occurred, kept the house under exclusion as to visitors, their party still continued to consist of their family circle only. The conversation after dinner took that turn, which naturally tends to put the parties at their ease, and as the gaiety of the Major’s disposition began to show itself, Maria’s spirits rose, and reserve was banished. Addressing herself to him, she said—I understand you are to be at court to-morrow, and my father is to have the honour of presenting you to his majesty. I don’t conceive you will like it; ’tis a formal piece of business. You will be more at home in the field at Elvas, when your favourite regiment passes in review.