Just so they said that the poor woman had a connexion
with poor Middlemas of the ---- regiment."
"And was that also a false report?" said Hartley, in breathless anxiety.
"On my soul, I believe it was," answered Mr. Esdale. "They were friends,
Europeans in an Indian court, and therefore intimate; but I believe
nothing more. By the by, though, I believe there was some quarrel
between Middlemas, poor fellow, and you; yet I am sure that you will be
glad to hear there is a chance of his affair being made up."
"Indeed!" was again the only word which Hartley could utter.
"Ay, indeed," answered Esdale. "The duel is an old story now; and it
must be allowed that poor Middlemas, though he was rash in that
business, had provocation."
"But his desertion--his accepting of command under Hyder--his treatment
of our prisoners--How can all these be passed over?" replied Hartley.
"Why, it is possible--I speak to you as a cautious man, and in
confidence--that he may do us better service in Hyder's capital, or
Tippoo's camp, than he could have done if serving with his own regiment.
And then, for his treatment of prisoners, I am sure I can speak nothing
but good of him in that particular. He was obliged to take the office,
because those that serve Hyder Naig must do or die. But he told me
himself--and I believe him--that he accepted the office chiefly because,
while he made a great bullying at us before the black fellows, he could
privately be of assistance to us.
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