SECOND TO NONE.
A Military Romance.
BY
JAMES GRANT,
AUTHOR OF
"THE ROMANCE OF WAR," "THE CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD,"
"THE YELLOW FRIGATE," ETC. ETC.
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. III.
LONDON:
ROUTLEDGE, WARNE, AND ROUTLEDGE,
BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILL.
NEW YORK: 129, GRAND STREET.
1864.
CONTENTS
OF
THE THIRD VOLUME.
CHAP.
I. WE TAKE THE FIELD AGAIN
II. THE TWO PRESENTIMENTS
III. BATTLE OF MINDEN
IV. PRINCE XAVIER OF SAXONY
V. THE BRIDGE OF FREYENTHAL
VI. LES VOLONTAIRES DE CLERMONT
VII. THE DUC DE BROGLIE
VIII. AN OLD FRIEND ARRIVES
IX. MONJOY
X. THE STORY OF MONJOY
XI. A SAD CONCLUSION
XII. THE FROZEN FORD
XIII. LAST OF THE EMERALD RING
XIV. THE WHISPERED ORDER
XV. THE DEAD HUSSAR
XVI. ARNAUD DE PRICORBIN
XVII. THE HEIGHTS OF CORBACH
XVIII. A NIGHT ATTACK
XIX. IN LONDON AGAIN
XX. THE DRAWING-ROOM
XXI. COUSIN AURORA
XXII. THE LAST
SECOND TO NONE.
CHAPTER I.
WE TAKE THE FIELD AGAIN.
While we were in quarters at Paderborn,a mixed detachment (composed of menfor various corps) arrived to join thearmy, and with it came Major Shirley,looking quite the same as when I hadseen him last, on the morning we marchedfrom Wadhurst—his uniform new andspotless, his aiguilettes glittering, hiswellfitting gloves of the whitest kid, abovewhich he wore pearl rings; his haircurled and perfumed, with his handsomefigure, suave and courtly bearing, hissinister and unfathomable smile.
He was one of those lucky fellows whohave mysterious interest (feminineprobably) at head-quarters, and who, whetherat home or abroad, are always on the staff,and never with their regiments; thus hehad been appointed extra aide-de-camp toLord George Sackville, and thus wechanced to meet on the day of his arrivalat an old windmill which did duty as astaff-office for the British head-quarters.
"Did you see my cousin, Miss Gauntlet,before leaving England?" I inquired,though in reality caring little whetherhe had or not.
"Oh yes, frequently—especially whenI was last in London; she is the reigningtoast at White's and elsewhere."
"She was well, I hope?" said I, dryly.
"Well, and looking beautiful as ever."
"Did she charge you with any messageto me?"
"None, Sir Basil. Z