When, as happened too often, he fell under the influence
of liquor, the bad in him promptly came uppermost; but at all
other times his better traits made him a good fellow to meet,
genial, polite, generous, and inclined to recognize the finer
sentiments of manliness. To march into his commander's presence
with Alice as his prisoner lacked everything of agreeing with his
taste; yet he had not been willing to give her over into the hands
of the patrol. If his regard for military obligation had not been
exceptionally strong, even for an English soldier, he would have
given way to the temptation of taking her to some place of hiding
and safety, instead of brutally subjecting her to Hamilton's harsh
judgment. He anticipated a trying experience for her on account of
this new transgression.
They hastened along until a lantern in the fort shot a hazy gleam
upon them.
"Stop a moment, Mademoiselle," Farnsworth called. "I say, Miss
Roussillon, stop a moment, please."
Alice halted and turned facing him so short and so suddenly that
the rapier in his hand pricked through her wraps and slightly
scratched her arm.
"What do you mean, sir?" she demanded, thinking that he had thrust
purposely. "Do I deserve this brutality?"
"You mistake me, Miss Roussillon. I cannot be brutal to you now.
Do not fear me; I only had a word to say.
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