CHAPTER III.
IN THE MILITIA.
The only person whom, on his return, Gibbon had the least wish to see was his aunt, Catherine Porten.

To her house he at once hastened, and "the evening was spent in the effusions of joy and tenderness." He looked forward to his first meeting with his father with no slight anxiety, and that for two reasons.

First, his father had parted from him with anger and menace, and he had no idea how he would be received now.

Secondly, his mother's place was occupied by a second wife, and an involuntary but strong prejudice possessed him against his step-mother.

He was most agreeably disappointed in both respects.