Company Of Spears

Hervey laid down the letter, shaking his head and smiling. ‘And the old dog said not a word!’ He pulled the bell cord by the fireplace. And he shook his head and smiled again: command of a first-rate! What double fortune this news was! He looked through the other letters to see if there was one from his old friend, but he perfectly understood why there was not.

A clerk appeared before Hervey could read over Elizabeth’s letter a second time.

‘Brayshaw, I shall want to send an express. In one hour.’

‘Sir.’ Brayshaw saluted, turned about smartly, and left to find an orderly to run to the post office.

Hervey picked up the second express, and with so light a heart that he broke the seal without hesitating.

My dear Hervey,I very much regret having to tell you that the Commander-in-Chief had already approved another for command – and had informed him of it – by the time I was able to see him. Well do I understand what a blow to you this will be, and for me it is only ameliorated by knowing who shall be the officer, Lord Holderness, whom I have known these many years past, as must you. It will be little consolation to you at this time to know you will serve with such a man, but I beg you would commit yourself to do so with all the zeal that has very properly brought you to your position today, trusting that these long years waiting shall in turn become past prelude.I am leaving for the north this day, else I should have conveyed this to you in person, and would beg that you call on me when I return next Saturday seven days.You have my greatest respects in this, as at all times,

Believe me, &tc,

Geo. Irvine.

Hervey felt so acute a nausea that he thought he must get up at once and leave the headquarters. Why did events take turns so cruelly? His sister’s happiness – his old friend’s too – and then his own expectations so peremptorily dashed. But instead he sat, almost rooted, wanting something familiar to grasp at.

‘Hervey?’ Vanneck’s voice betrayed concern.

Hervey looked at him blankly.

‘Are you quite well?’

The acting commanding officer would have liked nothing more at that moment than to confide his abject disappointment; but it was unthinkable. ‘I am perfectly well, thank you. Does Sarn’t-major Armstrong come?’

‘He does.’

‘Then call him, if you will.’

As Vanneck withdrew a second time, Hervey opened the letter from his superior headquarters.

Head Quarters,

London District

26th March 1827

Major M. P. HerveyComndg 6th Lt Dgns,Hounslow

Sir,I am directed to inform you that the General Officer Commanding the London District has read your dispatch concerning the incident at Waltham Abbey mills of the 20th instant with approbation. I am commanded to express once more the General’s approval of the conduct of the troops under your orders, and to assure you that the dispatch shall be forwarded to the Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty’s Land Forces forthwith. I am further commanded to inform you that the General directs that Regimental Serjeant-Major Hairsine’s name be brought to the immediate attention of the Commander-in-Chief for consideration of a commission.I am, sir, your obedient servant,

James Fanshawe,

Lieut colonel.