Major Greyson immediately excused himself to his company, and
repaired to the quarters of the dying man.
He found Colonel Le Noir stretched upon his bed in a state of
extreme exhaustion and attended by the surgeon and chaplain of his
regiment.
As Herbert advanced to the side of his bed, Le Noir stretched out
his pale hand and said:
"You bear no grudge against a dying man, Greyson?"
"Certainly not," said Herbert, "especially when he proposes doing
the right thing, as I judge you do, from the fact of your sending
for me."
"Yes, I do; I do!" replied Le Noir, pressing the hand that Herbert's
kindness of heart could not withhold.
Le Noir then beckoned the minister to hand him two sealed packets,
which he took and laid upon the bed before him.
Then taking up the larger of the two packets, he placed it in the
hands of Herbert Greyson, saying:
"There, Greyson, I wish you to hand that to your friend, young
Rocke, who has received his colors, I understand?"
"Yes, he has now the rank of ensign."
"Then give this parcel into the hands of Ensign Rocke, with the
request, that being freely yielded up, they may not be used in any
manner to harass the last hours of a dying man."
"I promise, on the part of my noble young friend, that they shall
not be so used," said Herbert as he took possession of the parcel.
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