"It so chanced--what mere trifles are we ruled by in our destiny!--that just as my suit with the widow had assumed its most favorable footing, old General Hinks, that commanded the district, announced his coming over to inspect our regiment. Over he came accordingly, and to be sure, we had a day of it. We were paraded for six mortal hours; then we were marching and countermarching, moving into line, back again into column, now forming open column, then into square; till at last, we began to think that the old general was like the Flying Dutchman, and was probably condemned to keep on drilling us to the day of judgment. To be sure, he enlivened the proceeding to me by pronouncing the regiment the worst-drilled and appointed corps in the service, and the adjutant (me!) the stupidest dunderhead--these were his words--he had ever met with.
"'Never mind,' thought I; 'a few days more, and it's little I'll care for the eighteen manoeuvres. It's small trouble your eyes right or your left, shoulders forward, will give me. I'll sell out, and with the Widow Boggs and seven hundred a year,--but no matter.'
"This confounded inspection lasted till half-past five in the afternoon; so that our mess was delayed a full hour in consequence, and it was past seven as we sat down to dinner. Our faces were grim enough as we met together at first; but what will not a good dinner and good wine do for the surliest party? By eight o'clock we began to feel somewhat more convivially disposed; and before nine, the decanters were performing a quick-step round the table, in a fashion very exhilarating and very jovial to look at.
"'No flinching to-night,' said the senior major. 'We've had a severe day; let us also have a merry evening.'
"'By Jove! Ormond,' cried another, 'we must not leave this to-night. Confound the old humbugs and their musty whist party; throw them over.'
"'I say, Adjutant,' said Forbes; addressing me, 'you've nothing particular to say to the fair widow this evening? You'll not bolt, I hope?'
"'That he sha'n't,' said one near me; 'he must make up for his absence to-morrow, for to-night we all stand fast.'
"'Besides,' said another, 'she's at meeting by this. Old--what-d'ye-call-him?--is at fourteenthly before now.'