rid of this
task of making ropes out of sea-sand. So much as to the state of the
country. Let us return to our story.

L'Isle reached Elvas early in the day, and resolved to reward himself
for his labors, by paying a visit to Lady Mabel; then after a
conference with Lord Strathern, to sit down and write his report to
Sir Rowland, on the state of the Andalusian reserve. He knew that Sir
Rowland looked for a precise and pithy statement, and L'Isle mean this
to be a model for all such communications. But fate may mar the wisest
plan.

He found Lady Mabel and Mrs. Shortridge together, and soon perceived
that the latter lady's head was full of an entertainment she was about
to give.

"The commissary has warned me," she said "that from henceforth he will
be ever on the move--that he must break up his household here, and
send off his heavy baggage to Lisbon. In this he very politely
includes his wife."

"I am truly sorry to hear it," said L'Isle, "but confess that first
among a soldier's _impedimenta_ must be reckoned his wife."

"I did not look for so blunt an assent to the commissary's opinion
from you," said Mrs. Shortridge, somewhat nettled; "however, I am to
go, and as many of the good folks of Elvas have been as polite to me
as they know how, I wish to show my sense of it in parting. I have
invited all my Portuguese friends, with a good sprinkling of red coats
to meet them. I have put myself to infinite trouble and no little
expense, meaning to have a grand evening, combining _turtulia_,
concert and ball. I would show these people something of society and
life, then vanish from Elvas in a blaze of glory. Now, as the rarest
treat that I could offer, I had promised my guests that they should
hear Lady Mabel in all her glorious richness of voice; and now she is
seized with a sudden fit of modesty, and protests against being
exhibited before a motly crowd like an opera singer."

Lady Mabel's reluctance was not feigned; and when Mrs. Shortridge
called on L'Isle for assistance in overcoming it, he felt some
scruples at lending his aid. But her companion and friend was about to
leave her; it was painful to refuse her a favor on which she plainly
laid great stress. Friendship and flattery at length prevailed, and
Lady Mabel promised to do her utmost to charm the ears of the natives,
on condition that L'Isle should be at hand as her interpreter, and say
to them for her a dozen polite and half as many witty things for eve