nel L'Isle is pledged to be in
constant attendance as my interpreter. I must write at once, and let
him know that I shall dispense with his services."

"Write to the fellow at once," growled Lord Strathern, "and do not let
him misunderstand the tenor of your note."

"But he has gone to Badajoz," said Bradshawe. "Still, if he has an
appointment with you, Lady Mabel, he will assuredly be back in time."

"But, my lord," said Major Conway, "you have an order for him to
attend Sir Rowland, at Alcantara the morning after, so that he would
have to give up the pleasure of waiting on Lady Mabel at Mrs.
Shortridge's, even though she did not discard him in this summary
manner."

"Then Mabel shall summon him to attend her, according to promise, in
spite of Sir Rowland's order!" thundered Lord Strathern, with all the
perverseness of an angry man.

"But suppose he pleads Sir Rowland's order in excuse," urged Conway.

"It shall not serve him. Mabel shall treat it as a fresh piece of
impertinence, and cut him forever."

"Suppose he attends Lady Mabel, and neglects Sir Rowland?"

"Then Sir Rowland shall know how lightly he holds his orders."

"That is being very hard upon L'Isle," said Conway.

"Not as hard as he deserves," said Lord Strathern with a bitter laugh.

"It is probably very important," urged Conway, "that Sir Rowland
should know at once the real state of this Andalusian reserve. Much
may depend upon it."

"Tut," said Lord Strathern contemptuously. "What matters L'Isle's
being able to tell him whether or not they look like soldiers? If you
had been long in Spain, you would have known that the fighting has to
be done by us."

"O yes," said Bradshawe. "Whatever they may do on parade, the fighting
always falls to our lot."

Lady Mabel had listened to this dialogue with intense interest, and no
little confusion of mind. She was very angry with L'Isle, and that
perhaps made her feel how important he had become to her. She was not
quite prepared to cut his acquaintance, and turn her back on him
forever, and now thought she saw her way through the difficulty.

"You are driving my friend L'Isle to the wall," said Major Conway. "I
know him to be a _gallant_ man; but however painful the sacrifice may
be to him, I think he will feel compelled to waive his engagement with
Lady Mabel, and wait on Sir Rowland Hill."

"Let him, if he dare," said Lady Mabel, with an emphatic stamp of her
foot.

"I applaud your spirit, L