ung," says the General, "Let us
rather say, suppose she consents, my love?--I can't fancy anybody in the
world refusing Theo anything she has set her heart on," adds the father:
"and I am sure 'tis bent upon this match."

So they all waited with the utmost anxiety until an answer from Madam
Esmond should arrive; and trembled lest the French privateers should
take the packet-ship by which the precious letter was conveyed.

CHAPTER LXVII. In which a Tragedy is acted, and two more are begun

James Wolfe, Harry's new Colonel, came back from America a few weeks
after our Virginian had joined his regiment. Wolfe had previously been
Lieutenant-Colonel of Kingsley's, and a second battalion of the regiment
had been formed and given to him in reward for his distinguished
gallantry and services at Cape Breton. Harry went with quite unfeigned
respect and cordiality to pay his duty to his new commander, on whom the
eyes of the world began to be turned now,--the common opinion being that
he was likely to become a great general. In the late affairs in France,
several officers of great previous repute had been tried and found
lamentably wanting. The Duke of Marlborough had shown himself no worthy
descendant of his great ancestor. About my Lord George Sackville's
military genius there were doubts, even before his unhappy behaviour at
Minden prevented a great victory. The nation was longing for military
glory, and the Minister was anxious to find a general who might gratify
the eager desire of the people. Mr. Wolfe's and Mr. Lambert's business
keeping them both in London, the friendly intercourse between those
officers was renewed, no one being more delighted than Lambert at his
younger friend's good fortune.

Harry, when he was away from his duty, was never tired of hearing Mr.
Wolfe's details of the military operations of the last year, about which
Wolfe talked very freely and openly. Whatever thought was in his
mind, he appears to have spoken it out generously. He had that heroic
simplicity which distinguished Nelson afterwards: he talked frankly of
his actions. Some of the fine gentlemen at St. James's might wonder and
sneer at him; but amongst our little circle of friends we may be sure he
found admiring listeners. The young General had the romance of a boy on
many matters. He delighted in music and poetry. On the last day of his
life he said he would rather have written Gray's Elegy than have won a
battle. We may be sure