fever. Ought he to
go, Mountain?"

"You would make the best soldier, I know that, dearest Hal. You and
George Washington are great friends, and could travel well together, and
he does not care for me, nor I for him, however much he is admired in
the family. But, you see, 'tis the law of Honour, my Harry." (He
here spoke to his brother with a voice of extraordinary kindness and
tenderness.) "The grief I have had in this matter has been that I must
refuse thee. I must go. Had Fate given you the benefit of that extra
half-hour of life which I have had before you, it would have been your
lot, and you would have claimed your right to go first, you know you
would."

"Yes, George," said poor Harry, "I own I should."

"You will stay at home, and take care of Castlewood and our mother. If
anything happens to me, you are here to fill my place. I would like to
give way, my dear, as you, I know, would lay down your life to serve me.
But each of us must do his duty. What would our grandfather say if he
were here?"

The mother looked proudly at her two sons. "My papa would say that his
boys were gentlemen," faltered Madam Esmond, and left the young men, not
choosing, perhaps, to show the emotion which was filling her heart. It
was speedily known amongst the servants that Mr. George was going on the
campaign. Dinah, George's foster-mother, was loud in her lamentations
at losing him; Phillis, Harry's old nurse, was as noisy because Master
George, as usual, was preferred over Master Harry. Sady, George's
servant, made preparations to follow his master, bragging incessantly
of the deeds which he would do, while Gumbo, Harry's boy, pretended to
whimper at being left behind, though, at home, Gumbo was anything but a
fire-eater.

But, of all in the house, Mrs. Mountain was the most angry at George's
determination to go on the campaign. She had no patience with him. He
did not know what he was doing by leaving home. She begged, implored,
insisted that he should alter his determination; and vowed that nothing
but mischief would come from his departure.

George was surprised at the pertinacity of the good lady's opposition.
"I know, Mountain," said he, "that Harry would be the better soldier;
but, after all, to go is my duty."

"To stay is your duty!" says Mountain, with a stamp of her foot.

"Why did not my mother own it when we talked of the matter just now?"

"Your mother!" says Mrs. Mountain, with a most gloomy, sardonic laugh;