‘He had already done his duty,’ she once began, ‘and now he might have staid at home, and let others take their turn. In a few weeks the year will be at an end; every thing is prepared and arranged; the maiden is waiting for him with throbbing heart, and instead of hastening into the arms of love, he marches away against the French banditti: no, Mimili—to be quite plain with you, I don’t approve his conduct.’
“‘Do you suppose, Mrs. Trini,’ replied she, eyeing my wife with evident displeasure, that William could have acted otherwise than he did? When the whole nation again rose with one accord; when the high and the mighty girt on their swords, to chastise the rebel crew with whom God himself is wroth; when the colours again waved, upon which my William swore to devote his blood and his life to his illustrious king; when the ends of their fluttering ribands pointed the way to where the brooks should be turned to pitch and the earth to brimstone; when old Blucher, under whom William had before fought and bled, again briskly mounted his charger, and all the maidens and matrons loudly wept the departure of those they love;—do you imagine that William could have staid behind? and if he had, do you suppose I should have loved and respected him as I now do? “The wife should follow the husband,” says the Scripture. My home is no longer here. With
