If by chance any allusion was made to the troubles
of the period, it was invariably done rather in a tone of respect for
mistaken and ill directed political views, than in reprehension of
disloyalty and rebellion; and when I heard the dispassionate opinions
and listened to the mild counsels of these men, whom I had always
believed to be the veriest tyrants and oppressors, I could scarcely
credit my own senses, so utterly opposed were my impressions and my
experience. One only of the party evinced an opposite feeling. He was
a pale, thin, rather handsome man, of about five and twenty, who had
lately joined them from a dragoon regiment, and who by sundry little
innuendoes, was ever bringing uppermost the preference he evinced
for his former service, and his ardent desire to be back again in the
cavalry.

Captain Montague Crofts was indeed the only exception I witnessed to the
almost brotherly feeling that prevailed in the Forty-fifth. Instead
of identifying himself with the habits and opinions of his brother
officers, he held himself studiously apart. Regarding his stay in the
regiment like a period of probation, he seemed resolved to form neither
intimacies nor friendships, but to wait patiently for the time of his
leaving the corps to emancipate himself from a society below his caste.

The cold, repulsive, steady stare, the scarcely bowed head, the
impassive silence with which he heard the words of Bubbleton's
introduction of me, formed a strong contrast with the warm cordiality
of the others; and though at the time little disposed to criticise the
manner of any one, and still less to be dissatisfied with anything, I
conceived from the moment a dislike to Captain Crofts, which I felt to
increase with every minute I spent in his company. The first occasion
which suggested this dislike on my part, was from observing that while
Bubbleton--whose historical accuracy or blind adherence to reality no
one in the corps thought of requiring--narrated some of his incredible
adventures. Crofts, far from joining in the harmless mirth which
such tales created, invariably took delight in questioning and
cross-questioning the worthy captain, quoting him against himself, and
playing off a hundred tricks, which, however smart and witty in a law
court, are downright rudeness when practised in society. Bubbleton, it
is true, saw nothing in all this save the natural interest of a good
listener,--but the others did; and it was quite clear t