We rambled for a while through the covered way, over the glacis and along the counterscarp, and listened to the guide as he detailed to us, in already accustomed words, how the siege had gone.Then we got into the private apartments of the general, and, having dexterously shaken off our attendant, wandered at large among the deserted rooms.
"It is clear that no one ever comes here," said I.
"No," said the Rev.Augustus; "it seems not; and to tell the truth, I don't know why any one should come.The chambers in themselves are not attractive."What he said was true.They were plain, ugly, square, unfurnished rooms, here a big one, and there a little one, as is usual in most houses;--unfurnished, that is, for the most part.In one place we did find a table and a few chairs, in another a bedstead, and so on.
But to me it was pleasant to indulge in those ruminations which any traces of the great or unfortunate create in softly sympathising minds.For a time we communicated our thoughts to each other as we roamed free as air through the apartments; and then I lingered for a few moments behind, while Mr.Horne moved on with a quicker step.
At last I entered the bedchamber of the general, and there Iovertook my friend.He was inspecting, with much attention, an article of the great man's wardrobe which he held in his hand.It was precisely that virile habiliment to which a well-known gallant captain alludes in his conversation with the posthumous appearance of Miss Bailey, as containing a Bank of England 5 pound note.
"The general must have been a large man, George, or he would hardly have filled these," said Mr.Horne, holding up to the light the respectable leathern articles in question."He must have been a very large man,--the largest man in Antwerp, I should think; or else his tailor has done him more than justice."They were certainly large, and had about them a charming regimental military appearance.They were made of white leather, with bright metal buttons at the knees and bright metal buttons at the top.
They owned no pockets, and were, with the exception of the legitimate outlet, continuous in the circumference of the waistband.
No dangling strings gave them an appearance of senile imbecility.
Were it not for a certain rigidity, sternness, and mental inflexibility,--we will call it military ardour,--with which they were imbued, they would have created envy in the bosom of a fox-hunter.
Mr.Horne was no fox-hunter, but still he seemed to be irresistibly taken with the lady-like propensity of wishing to wear them.
"Surely, George," he said, "the general must have been a stouter man than I am"--and he contemplated his own proportions with complacency--"these what's-the-names are quite big enough for me."I differed in opinion, and was obliged to explain that I thought he did the good living of Ollerton insufficient justice.
"I am sure they are large enough for me," he repeated, with considerable obstinacy.I smiled incredulously; and then to settle the matter he resolved that he would try them on.Nobody had been in these rooms for the last hour, and it appeared as though they were never visited.Even the guide had not come on with us, but was employed in showing other parties about the fortifications.It was clear that this portion of the building was left desolate, and that the experiment might be safely made.So the sportive rector declared that he would for a short time wear the regimentals which had once contained the valorous heart of General Chasse.
With all decorum the Rev.Mr.Horne divested himself of the work of the London artist's needle, and, carefully placing his own garments beyond the reach of dust, essayed to fit himself in military garb.
At that important moment--at the critical instant of the attempt--the clatter of female voices was heard approaching the chamber.
They must have suddenly come round some passage corner, for it was evident by the sound that they were close upon us before we had any warning of their advent.At this very minute Mr.Horne was somewhat embarrassed in his attempts, and was not fully in possession of his usual active powers of movement, nor of his usual presence of mind.
He only looked for escape; and seeing a door partly open, he with difficulty retreated through it, and I followed him.We found that we were in a small dressing-room; and as by good luck the door was defended by an inner bolt, my friend was able to protect himself.
"There shall be another siege, at any rate as stout as the last, before I surrender," said he.
As the ladies seemed inclined to linger in the room it became a matter of importance that the above-named articles should fit, not only for ornament but for use.It was very cold, and Mr.Horne was altogether unused to move in a Highland sphere of life.But alas, alas! General Chasse had not been nurtured in the classical retirement of Ollerton.The ungiving leather would stretch no point to accommodate the divine, though it had been willing to minister to the convenience of the soldier.Mr.Horne was vexed and chilled;and throwing the now hateful garments into a corner, and protecting himself from the cold as best he might by standing with his knees together and his body somewhat bent so as to give the skirts of his coat an opportunity of doing extra duty, he begged me to see if those jabbering females were not going to leave him in peace to recover his own property.I accordingly went to the door, and opening it to a small extent I peeped through.
Who shall describe my horror at the sight which I then saw? The scene, which had hitherto been tinted with comic effect, was now becoming so decidedly tragic that I did not dare at once to acquaint my worthy pastor with that which was occurring,--and, alas! had already occurred.