'Tis not a button to me, by
Jupiter, what he does or drinks, off duty; but hang it, I'm afraid some
day he'll break out; and once or twice in a friendly way, you know, I've
had to speak with him, and, to say truth, I'd rather he served under
anyone else. He's a fine fellow, 'tis a pity there should be anything
wrong, and it would half break my heart to have to take a public course
with him; not, you know, that it has ever come to anything like
that--but--but I've heard things--and--and he must pull up, or he'll not
do for the service.' So, though the thing did not amount to a scandal,
there was a formality between Devereux and his commanding officer, who
thought he saw bad habits growing apace, and apprehended that ere long
disagreeable relations might arise between them.
Lord Athenry had been no friend to Devereux in his nonage, and the
good-natured countess, to make amends, had always done her utmost to
spoil him, and given him a great deal more of his own way, as well as of
plum-cake, and Jamaica preserves, and afterwards a great deal more
money, than was altogether good for him. Like many a worse person, she
was a little bit capricious, and a good deal selfish; but the young
fellow was handsome.
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