With the doubts
that had previously been entertained of the fidelity of
Francois, there was an air of forlorn hope given to the
enterprise; still, as the man expressed sincere earnestness
of desire to repay the clemency accorded him, by a faithful
exercise of his services, and as the object sought was
one that justified the risk, there was, notwithstanding,
a latent hope cherished by all parties, that the event
would prove successful. We have already seen to what
extent their anticipations were realised.
Whether it was that he secretly acknowledged the too
excessive sternness of his justice in regard to Halloway
(who still, in the true acceptation of facts, had been
guilty of a crime that entailed the penalty he had paid),
or that the apprehensions that arose to his heart in
regard to her on whom he yearned with all a father's
fondness governed his conduct, certain it is, that, from
the hour of the disclosure made by his son, Colonel de
Haldimar became an altered man. Without losing any thing
of that dignity of manner, which had hitherto been
confounded with the most repellent haughtiness of bearing,
his demeanour towards his officers became more courteous;
and although, as heretofore, he kept himself entirely
aloof, except when occasions of duty brought them together,
still, when they did meet, there was more of conciliation
in his manner, and less of austerity in his speech.
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