he
escaped in time to get here you must learn from himself."

"Come, L'Isle, we have heard the prologue," said Sir Rowland; "be not
bashful, but give us the comedy."

What was L'Isle to do? It was evidently something more than curiosity
that made Sir Rowland so earnest to sift this matter. He could hardly
refuse all explanation to him--and he felt that it would never do to
give an account of Lady Mabel's behavior, to himself, as he had
construed it. Lord Strathern, too, did not exactly know what he was
urging him to do. Suddenly recollecting Lady Mabel's note, L'Isle drew
it from his pocket, and handed it to her father, for his private
reading. To L'Isle's astonishment, Lord Strathern read it out with
great _gusto_, and commented on it.

This was capital bait for the trap. "And pray, Mr. Interpreter, how
did you and your principal get through the evening?"

"You see the dilemma, Sir Rowland," exclaimed Bradshawe, with
glee. "Here was a conflict of duties. Colonel L'Isle had to obey two
commanders at one time, which Scripture tells us is difficult, if not
impossible."

"L'Isle seems to have achieved the impossible," said Sir Rowland; "for
I know you are too _gallant_ a man, L'Isle, to neglect a lady's order
for mine."

Sir Rowland's manner, though not his words, were urgent for an
explanation; and L'Isle being now fairly in for it, with an effort,
gathered his wits together, and opened the narrative of his last
night's adventure. He recounted Lady Mabel's successful efforts to
amuse and occupy him into a forgetfulness of the flying hours; her
artful delays before setting out; their slow but pleasant drive up
hill to Elvas; the animated and well-sustained part she had played
throughout the evening; her wit, her satire, and her singing, and his
labors as interpreter, acknowledging many foolish things of his own,
in his efforts to be witty and amusing according to contract. He
described her well-feigned fear of returning home in the dark without
an escort, the brilliantly lighted house and well-timed supper, at
which, unconscious of the flight of time, he sat listening to her
diverting talk, including her piquant sketch of Sir Rowland's glorious
dinners and tactical lectures, and the value his officers set on
each. Here his auditors had each an opportunity of laughing at each
other, and being laughed at in turn.

L'Isle strove to make Lady Mabel appear witty, amusing, and adroit; he
gave edge to her satire--keenn