" Then turning his flashing eye along
the ranks:--"I was once an officer in this corps, and
long before any of you wore the accursed uniform. That
man, that fiend, affected to be my friend; and under the
guise of friendship, stole into the heart I loved better
than my own life. Yes," fervently pursued the excited
prisoner, stamping violently with his foot upon the earth,
"he robbed me of my affianced wife; and for that I resented
an outrage that should have banished him to some lone
region, where he might never again pollute human nature
with his presence--he caused me to be tried by a
court-martial, and dismissed the service. Then, indeed,
I became the outlaw he has described, but not until then.
Now, Colonel de Haldimar, that I have proclaimed your
infamy, poor and inefficient as the triumph be, do your
worst--I ask no mercy. Yesterday I thought that years of
toilsome pursuit of the means of vengeance were about to
be crowned with success; but fate has turned the tables
on me and I yield."
To all but the baronet and Captain Blessington this
declaration was productive of the utmost surprise.
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