It was impudent and servile; it was impudent, as much as to say to the servants, "why don't you open the door quickly for a man who is so deep in your master's confidence as I am ?" while to that master himself, it said, or seemed to say, "I am your creature, your instrument, your slave, ready to execute any oppression, any hardship, or villainy, on which you can employ me." It is said, and we believe with truth, that in military life no officer is so severe and oppressive as he who has risen from the ranks, and been most obsequious there.

We do not doubt it, for the principle is a strong one in human nature, and is by no means confined to either the army or navy.

At all events,'shuffling, and cringing, and slinking Darby O'Drive presented himself to Val the Vulture.

There was a downcast, cowardly, shy, uneasy, expression in his blank, straggling features, that seemed to say, for God's sake spare my very life--don't annihilate me--here I am--you see through me--heart, spirit, and soul--body, lungs, and lights--could I tell _you_ a lie?
No.

Could I deceive you--such a man as you, that can look through me as if I was a lanthorn, or a pane of glass without a bull's eye in it.