h her. He
did not allude to the subject which he knew was uppermost in her mind,
except that by a more than ordinary gentleness and kindness he perhaps
caused her to understand that her thoughts were known to him.

"I have breakfasted," says he, "with James Wolfe this morning, and our
friend Harry was of the party. When he and the other guests were gone, I
remained and talked with James about the great expedition on which he is
going to sail. Would that his brave father had lived a few months longer
to see him come back covered with honours from Louisbourg, and knowing
that all England was looking to him to achieve still greater glory!
James is dreadfully ill in body--so ill that I am frightened for
him--and not a little depressed in mind at having to part from the young
lady whom he has loved so long. A little rest, he thinks, might have set
his shattered frame up; and to call her his has been the object of his
life. But, great as his love is (and he is as romantic as one of you
young folks of seventeen), honour and duty are greater, and he leaves
home, and wife, and ease, and health, at their bidding. Every man of
honour would do the like; every woman who loves him truly would buckle
on his armour for him. James goes to take leave of his mother to-night;
and though she loves him devotedly, and is one of the tenderest women
in the world, I am sure she will show no sign of weakness at his going
away."

"When does he sail, papa?" the girl asked.

"He will be on board in five days." And Hetty knew quite well who sailed
with him.

CHAPTER LXVIII. In which Harry goes westward

Our tender hearts are averse to all ideas and descriptions of parting;
and I shall therefore say nothing of Harry Warrington's feelings at
taking leave of his brother and friends. Were not thousands of men in
the same plight? Had not Mr. Wolfe his mother to kiss (his brave father
had quitted life during his son's absence on the glorious Louisbourg
campaign), and his sweetheart to clasp in a farewell embrace? Had not
stout Admiral Holmes, before sailing westward with his squadron, The
Somerset, The Terrible, The Northumberland, The Royal William, The
Trident, The Diana, The Seahorse--his own flag being hoisted on board
The Dublin--to take leave of Mrs. and the Misses Holmes? Was Admiral
Saunders, who sailed the day after him, exempt from human feeling?
Away go William and his crew of jovial sailors, ploughing through the
tumbling waves, a