"'To the barracks,' I heard him say imperiously, and I knew in a moment that he was deliberately driving off to turn out the main guard, and thus to prove me absent therefrom. I felt that I was lost--that my commission, the pride of my heart, was gone; and had not a happy thought seized me, I should not have been here to night. Just as the carriage turned round, I sprang up behind it, and stood there unseen, but stooping low, because the roof was open.
"'You're sure it is that impertinent fellow, Slingsby, of the Sixth?' said Mrs. Towler, with a smile of malicious satisfaction.
"'Sure as you are beside me, my love,' growled the general; 'bad example to the soldiers--very! subversive of all discipline--I'll smash him now--absent from guard--a general court-martial----'
"'He was most impertinent to Maria at the last ball,' said Mrs. Towler.
"'Violation of the articles of war,' growled the Major General; 'but here we are close on the barracks--now we shall have him!'
"'Guard turn out!' cried the sentry, presenting arms, and facing his post.
"'Stop, coachman,' cried the general, as the carriage, with wheels flashing and its steaming bays at full gallop, dashed up to the guard house, where they reared back on their haunches, as the guard formed line, opened ranks, and the drum gave the single customary ruffle, just as I dropped unseen from the foot-board behind, drew my sword, and took my place coolly at the head of my men.
"'Sergeant,' roared the general; 'where's the officer of the guard--where's that infernal--where is Mr. Slingsby?'
"'Here, general,' said the astonished noncommissioned officer.
"'I am here, sir,' said I, haughtily lowering the point of my sword.
"'Here--you!' he exclaimed with a glance of astonishment and perplexity, as he fumbled with his confounded detail card; 'what the deuce--I thought--that will do, however; guard, turn in, sir; coachman, drive on!'
"And the carriage, with the general and all his daughters, with their fringed parasols, rolled away. Old Towler never discovered how I circumvented him, though he assured his son, the aide-de-camp, that he could have made his affidavit on seeing me at the races, and in ten minutes after found me at the head of my guard more than two miles distant."