34 THE SHIPWRECK,

sessed a good heart. The recklessness with which he
abandoned himself to the transports of his temper, was
strangely contrasted with his fits of immediate repentance;
sometimes he was even generous enough to make a more
than ample compensation for the wrongs he had done: but —
at length, the swervings of his character so multiplied, the
tone of impatience became so habitual to him, that the
blush of shame no longer apologized for his extrava-
gances.

The presence of his father was the only curb he cared
for; but even this was not sufficient to control his angry
pride, and frequently the constraint under which filial
respect placed him only impelled him to torment more in-
sufferably the poor domestics of the chateau.

Young as he was, the charms of his home were to him
insipid and monotonous. His heart thrilled with delight
at the sound of the war trumpet. Battle, blood and car-
nage were his favourite perspective—the only scene that
delusive hope could place between him and the disgusting
wearisomeness of rural amusements. Fearless and brave,
proud and impetuous, the first invitation of his uncle D’Er-
mincourt was eagerly accepted. THis courage and intre-
pidity soon gained him an enviable reputation among his