aralyse the government of Madrid. Especially you may prevent the
sweeping away of the monasteries--which, I take it, is at the bottom of
all this pother, though for the life of me I cannot see what concern the
matter is of yours. But to carry off the Princess would profit you
nothing. Isabel Segunda is but a child, and will not come of age for
many years. Your friend the Abbot would gain nothing by her captivity.
But the Queen-Regent were a prize indeed!"

After he had spoken thus freely, Rollo continued to muse, and the
Sergeant to watch him. The latter had a great opinion of this young
man's practical ability.

"If he had had but the fortune to be born poor--and in Andalucia, he
might have been one day as great as I!" was the opinion of this modest
Sergeant. And indeed he spoke but the words of truth and soberness. For
it was the opinion of nine out of ten of his countrymen that he, Jose
Maria of Ronda, was the greatest man of all time.

"Well," said Rollo at last, "let us go up and talk a little to my
friends and El Sarria. I think I see a way of inducing her Royal
Highness to accompany us. But it will require some firmness, and even a
certain amount of severity."

The Sergeant nodded with grim appreciation.

"It is a pity with women," he said philosophically, "but sometimes, I
know, it is the only way."

"The severity I speak of," continued Rollo, not regarding his words,
"will mostly fall to the lot of the Senor Munoz. But we may chance to
work on the lady's feelings through him."

The Sergeant gave Rollo a quick glance, in which was discernible a
certain alertness of joy. The Sergeant also did not love his
grandeeship, the Duke of Rianzares.

So these two went abreast up the great staircase, and found the Princess
Isabel already playing joyously with Etienne, John Mortimer joining
clumsily in as best he could. Concha had vanished, and La Giralda was
nowhere to be seen.

"The rogue is in no haste to visit her mother after her night
adventure!" said the Sergeant in a low tone, as Rollo and he stood
watching the scene from the doorway.

"Nor I," admitted Rollo with a smile, "yet see the lady we must!"

"And shall!" said the Sergeant.

Yet in spite of the unpleasant interview which lay before him, Rollo
could not help smiling at the game that was going forward in the upper
hall.

"_Sur le pont d' Avignon,
Tout le monde y passe,_"

chanted Etienne.

"_Tout le monde y passe!_" chorused the l