The Soldier's Wife — page 125: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“You understand, then, Private Lonsdale,” eaid Mr Scott: “you have nearly five years more to serve. And now you can retire.” Our hero did retire—and with a heart full of despair. Not that he had just learnt anything for which he was unprepared: he had previously known full well that he was lable to serve the entire period for which he had originally en- listed—and .his Lucy was likewise aware of the same fact. . But he was filled with despair because the treatment he had just experienced at the hands of his superiors was that of a cold brutality—a heartless aggravation of all the miseries he had endured. He saw that he was Indeed a marked man—that no sympathy was felt towards him by his officers, even thovgh he had paid the penalty of his offences—a ye, and dreadfully paid it too! On leaving the colonel’s apartment, he has- tened to get ready for parade, and appeared under arms for the first time since his return to the regiment. The cross-belts sat heavily upon him: his back was sore—he felt a pain in his Joins-—his lungs seemed affected. But when the parade was over, and his heavy accoutrements were thrown aside, he breathed more freely— his spirits rose somewhat, too—for he expected his beloved wife and child to arrive at Man- chester in the evening. A lodging must be provided for them; and accordingly in the afternoon—when he had some few hours to dispose of—he sallied forth to make the requi- site research. He soon found the aceommoda- tion he required: and having an ample supply ef ready money, which he had brought with him from Dover, he was enabled to pay the rent inadvance. In the evening he repaired to the particular stage by which he had directed Lucy to come; and when it drove up to the door, he had the satisfaction of perceiving his beloved wife and little son amongst the pas- sengers. In a few moments our hero and heroine were clasped in each other’s arms; and Lucey, forgetting at the instant that her un- fortunate husband’s back must be sore, clasped him with an energy of tenderness that made him writhe in that embrace. But in the fulness of her emotions at that first instant of meeting, ghe observed it not: orelse, Oh! what a bitter, bitter pang it would have sent like a barbed arrow to her heart’s core! Little Frederick had been previously informed by his mamma that his father was now a soldier; and there- fore the child was not amazed tu seé his parent in auniform. On the contrary he was delight- ed; and fervid indeed was the embrace in which he was strained by that affectionate father. A porter being procured to convey Lucy’s boxes. the little party proceeded along the street to the house in which the lodging was angaged, and which was at no great distance. While repairing thither arm-in-arm, the hus- band and wife could not help noticing the great change which had taken place in each other during the three months which had now so nearly elapsed since they parted. The reader is already aware that Frederick was ale and emaciated, and he still walked r 7. bully and langwidly. Lucy was likewise pale THE SCCDIER’S WIFE and much eare worn: indeer her countenanes but too evidently betrayed the immensity of the grief which she had experienced during the interval of separation. Both studiously endea vored to conceal from each other how much they were shocked at observing these changes in their appearance; and not a syllable was spoken in respect to the awful punishwent that rederick had endured. It was a spacious and airy bedroom whiele Lonsdale had lired—ready furnished—in § respectable house, but in a somewhat secluded street; and as he had given vhe landlady ite structions to purchase such necessaries as were required for immediate use, the materials for @ comfortable repast were found ready on their arrival at the lodging. Lucy, truly rejoiced to be restored to her husband, manifested as much cheerfulness as under circumstances was poe sible: but Frederick was unable to cast off a certain gloom which appeared to have fastened its shade upon his coumtenance and settled ita influence upon his heart. . The child,—too yung to notice the altered appearance of hia father, or to perceive that there was aught of moodiness hanging upon his spirits— and delighted to be in his father’s presence once again,—played about the room in a frolicsome manner, every now and then climb- ing upon Lonsdale’s knees, throwing his avins about his neck, and kissin him atfection- ately. On the folowing day Frederick and Luey held a deliberation upon their affairs. The furniture which they had originally purchased in Calais for seventy pounds, had realized fifty on being sold; and this was the best bargain that Lucy was able to make. But altogether they could command about sixty pounds. The reader may perhaps wonder why Frederick did not make up his mind to leave his regiment again as soon as possible and flee back to France—there to remain for ever, with the fixed determination of allowing no pretext or stratagem to seduce him again to his native land. But no: he had not now the energy sufficient for this. His nature was already undergoing a change: he looked upon the whole world with distrust: he felt as if iis was an evil destiny, which he must irresistibly fulfill But he did not state all this to Lucey. He had still a boundless love for her,—and also for their child: so that 1f he did not hint at another de- sertion, neither did he give his reason for not attempting it; and Lucy of course did not breathe a syllable bordering upon such a sug- gestion. She reminded Frederick that when at Portsmouth she had comfortably sustained herself by means of needle-work, and she thought of having recourse to the same pursuit again, With a portion of their ready money, furniture might be bought for two little rooms; and thus a saving in the rental be effected. But, on the other hand, it was by no means certain that the regiment would remain as in Manchester; andgf 1t were suddenly or speedil removed, the furniture would have to be re-sol ata considerable loss. Therefore, all thi considered, it was resolved that Luey should continue to occupy the present lodging,— Fre CO Eomicboo (E <s)