When they had done so, he said: "Perhaps you guessed, Kennedy, that you were the one exception I mentioned to the rule I adopted, of fixing by lot upon those who were to go." "No, indeed, sir," Desmond said, in surprise; "I thought it an extraordinary piece of good fortune that I should be the only ensign to go, when there were so many others all senior to me.
Indeed, I thought for a moment of saying that I would resign, in favour of one who was older and more experienced than myself; but then it struck me that if I did, some of the junior lieutenants might feel themselves obliged to do the same, in favour of their seniors." "I should not, in any case, have permitted a change to be made.

I had decided that, in order to avoid jealousy, chance should decide the matter.

Indeed, you are the only ensign going with the expedition.

I informed Colonel Wauchop and General Hamilton of the reason for which I specially included you.
"So long as it was supposed that the regiment was on the point of marching to Spain, I considered that, if you took my advice and did not leave the barracks after nightfall, no harm would befall you.

But the case is altered, now that it may remain here for some time, for no doubt it will take part in any expedition sent to Ireland.