The door opened.
"Stubbes," said I, "are you aware"---- I had only got so far in my question, when my servant, one of the most discreet of men, put on a broad grin, and turned away towards the door to hide his face.
"What the devil does this mean ?" said I, stamping with passion; "he is as bad as the rest.

Stubbes," and this I spoke with the most grave and severe tone, "what is the meaning of the insolence ?" "Oh, sir," said the man; "Oh, sir, surely you did not appear on parade with that face ?" and then he burst into a fit of the most uncontrollable laughter.
Like lightning a horrid doubt shot across my mind.

I sprung over to the dressing-glass, which had been replaced, and oh: horror of horrors! There I stood as black as the king of Ashantee.

The cursed dye which I had put on for Othello, I had never washed off,--and there with a huge bear-skin shako, and a pair of black, bushy whiskers, shone my huge, black, and polished visage, glowering at itself in the looking-glass.
My first impulse, after amazement had a little subsided, was to laugh immoderately; in this I was joined by Stubbes, who, feeling that his mirth was participated in, gave full vent to his risibility.

And, indeed, as I stood before the glass, grinning from ear to ear, I felt very little surprise that my joining in the laughter of my brother officers, a short time before, had caused an increase of their merriment.
I threw myself upon a sofa, and absolutely laughed till my sides ached, when, the door opening, the adjutant made his appearance.