ridge were not the best-tempered
woman in the world, it would cause a domestic rebellion, and we would
soon see her posting back to Lisbon, and London, perhaps, without
leave or license. Do you forget how she yearns after the two little
boys she left at home, that you venture to aggravate so her regrets at
leaving England?"

"How can I help it?" said Shortridge, looking much out of countenance;
"I have been into a dozen houses, and these rooms are the largest and
least comfortless I can find."

"I would pitch my tent in the _praca_, and pass the winter in it,"
said L'Isle, "sooner than share with these people the pig-sties they
call their houses."

"But a lady is not quite so hardy or fearless as a soldier," said
Mrs. Shortridge, "and needs more substantial shelter and protection
than a canvas wall."

"I have some thoughts of getting rooms in the barracks," said
Shortridge; "but it is not pleasant for a lady to be in the midst of
the rank and file."

"Of course not. By the by," said L'Isle, as if he had just thought of
it, "I intend, as soon as I get quite well, to take quarters at the
barracks; I lodge too far from the regiment now. I may as well hasten
my removal, and transfer my present abode to you. My house is large,
well situated, and not more dilapidated than every thing else is in
this country. It will suit Mrs. Shortridge as well as a Portuguese
house can suit an English lady."

"But I cannot think of turning you out of it," said Mrs.
Shortridge. "You are still an invalid, and need every comfort and
convenience about you."

"I am nearly as well as I ever was in my life," answered L'Isle; "a
little like the lean knight of La Mancha, it is true, but time and
good feeding will soon cure that. And, let me tell you, good feeding
is the order of the day here just now. I am only afraid we will eat up
the country around, before the opening of the campaign. But my present
house has a fault to me, which will be none to you. There is no
stabling for my horses, unless I follow the Portuguese custom, and
lodge them in the ground-floor of the house. I have to keep them at
the barracks, and like to be so quartered that I can put my foot in
the stirrup at a minute's warning."

The commissary and his wife made many scruples at accepting his offer,
but L'Isle overruled them, and at length it was settled that he should
march out at the end of three days, and Mrs. Shortridge and suite
should garrison the vacant post.