m the inevitable
casualties of fate, and the irresistible strokes of fortune! Thus I
found comfort in the thought that the ridicule attached to me rather
proceeded from the low standard of manners and habits about me than from
anything positively absurd in my position; and, in my warped and biassed
imagination, I actually preferred the insolent insipidity of Lord
Dudley de Vere to the hearty raciness and laughter-loving spirit of Phil
O'Grady.

My reflections were now cut short by the order for the staff to mount,
and, following the current of my present feelings, I drew near to Lord
Dudley, in whose emptiness and inanity I felt a degree of security
from sarcasm, that I could by no means be so confident of in O'Grady's
company.

Amid the thunder of cannon, the deafening roll of drums, the tramp
of cavalry, and the measured footfall of the infantry columns, these
thoughts rapidly gave way to others, and I soon forgot myself in
the scene around me. The sight, indeed, was an inspiriting one; for,
although but the mockery of glorious war, to my unpractised eye the
deception was delightful: the bracing air, the bright sky, the scenery
itself, lent their aid, and, in the brilliant panorama before me, I soon
regained my light-heartedness, and felt happy as before.

CHAPTER VI. THE SHAM BATTLE

I have mentioned in my last chapter how very rapidly I forgot my
troubles in the excitement of the scene around me. Indeed, they must
have been much more important, much deeper woes, to have occupied any
place in a head so addled and confused as mine was. The manoeuvres of
the day included a sham battle; and scarcely had his Excellency passed
down the line, when preparations for the engagement began. The heavy
artillery was seen to limber up, and move slowly across the field,
accompanied by a strong detachment of cavalry; columns of infantry
were marched hither and thither with the most pressing and eager haste;
orderly dragoons and staff-officers galloped to and fro like madmen;
red-faced plethoric little colonels bawled out the word of command till
one feared they might burst a bloodvessel; and already two companies of
light infantry might be seen stealing cautiously along the skirts of
the wood, with the apparently insidious design of attacking a brigade of
guns. As for me, I was at one moment employed carrying despatches to Sir
Charles Asgill, at another conveying intelligence to Lord Harrington;
these, be it known, being