Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-08-22


other. However, he trusted that the ma
tural politeness of the French, would not
suffer them to treat an enemy with incl
yili,y. When he was shown into the
room, he was received by a lady sitting
On a sofa, with table before her, on
which was a book and two wax tapers.-
Mrs. Dubois was neither young, nor
handsome, but she had certain sensibili-
ty of countenance, and an affable manner
in her behavior, which seldom fails to
captivate at time of life when beauty is
no more.
1t was this kind of frankness in Mrs
Dubois conversation, that induced the
aid de-canp to give her detailed account
of his evenings expedition, without Sc
cretirg from her the duty he had been
upon, or the circumstance of his having
killed the officer who came to take him
prisoner. In return Madame Dubois, as
ingeniously told him the most interesting
particulars Of her life; from which he
gathered, that she had been the rich wi
dow of German gentleman, and was
lately married to Mr.. i -hOis captain in
the French service. when the night
was 80 far advanced that it was thought
necessary for the aid de camp to retire to
his bed chamber, Madame Dubois took
her leave assuring him that one Of her
servants should be ready, as early as he
pleased in the morning, to conduct him to
the road that led to the English camp
With thousand expressions of gratitude
for her tavors, he wished her good night,
which he conld not procure for himself
He no sooner laid his head upon the pill
low, than d thousand dissgreeable ideas
crowded into his imagination. He saw
before his eyes regiment in full march,
to take possession of that ground which
the corps that occupied it had no orders o
quit. In another part of the camp, a bat
talon was wheeling off to the right, which
should nave advanced to support the col
umns in the centre But what gave him
the most real concern though the action
itself was commendaJ!e, being done for
the good of TIE seruice) was the death Of
the officer, whose widow seemed to ap-
pear at his beds foot, with oil the distrac-
ton in her countenance which SO calami-
tious a disaster might be suspected to
create.
In this agitation of mind, he remained
until it was daylight, when he heard two
small raps at his CHAMBER door winch
seemed like the toiling OF the bell in We
nice Preserved, to summon him to i'm
mediate execution. II was with some dit
ticulty that he said come in. 1t proved to
be Madame DUBOIS maid VINO had come
to tell him, that her mistress begged to
see him for a moment, before he lett the
house. He hurried OIL his clothes ana
went directly to Madame DUBOIS, whom
he found ringing her names and tearing
her hair in all the agony OF grief-When
her burst of passion was over, our aid ue
camp expressed the utmost concern at
seeing her in SO distressed vi uatlon, q
offered to serve her with us lie and for
tune. l want neithe, sir, saiu size, al
though you are the innocent author of ali
my sorrow; and though you have Gestroy-
ed my peace of nina forever, yet as you
did hut your duty. l must forgive You.
Read that fatal scroll, giving him let,
ter,) and then fly from my sight forever
The aid de4camp devoureu, as i: were, the
paper with his eyes, and read with ex
trsme horror, a precise and particular &C.
count OF his killing her husband, Captain
Dubois The letter fell from his hands
and lie attempted to speak, when she
prevented, BY waving her hand as q sigma
for his departure, and he obeyei lie
found servant waiting at the gate to at,
tend him on his way lie mounted his
horse with a sigh, and following his guide
he arrived i'll a few hours at tie English
camp, sick of himself and weary of the
world.
SCENERY oF THE SCOTTISH GLENHENs
WITH SINGULAR ANECpoTE.