He was handing a card to a servant, which he was accompanying by a verbal message; the impression of something like hostility on the part of the captain had never left my mind, and I hastened down-stairs just in time to catch him as he turned from the door.
"Ah, Mr.O'Malley!" said he, in a most courteous tone.

"They told me you were not at home." I apologized for the blunder, and begged of him to alight and come in.
"I thank you very much, but, in fact, my hours are now numbered here.

I have just received an order to join my regiment; we have been ordered for service, and Sir George has most kindly permitted my giving up my staff appointment.

I could not, however, leave the country without shaking hands with you.

I owe you a lesson in horsemanship, and I'm only sorry that we are not to have another day together." "Then you are going out to the Peninsula ?" said I.
"Why, we hope so; the commander-in-chief, they say, is in great want of cavalry, and we scarcely less in want of something to do.