of the true opinion owe you, Don Rollo, a debt of gratitude which
shall not be easily repaid. For she and hers have troubled the peace of
this country much and long. Of which now, by San Nicolas, there shall be
a quick end!"

As he spoke he ran his eyes along the line to where Munoz rode behind
his mistress.

"And the tall gentleman with the polished whiskers? Who may he be?" he
cried, a yet more venomous fire glittering in his eyes.

"That, General Cabrera," said Rollo, quietly, "is his Excellency the
Duke of Rianzares."

"At last, _estanco_-keeper!" cried Cabrera, riding forward as if to
strike Munoz on the face. "I, Ramon Cabrera of Tortosa, have waited a
long time for this pleasure."

Munoz did not answer in words, but, as before, preserved his
imperturbable demeanour. His half contemptuous dignity of bearing, which
had irritated even Rollo, seemed to have the power of exciting Cabrera
to the point of fury.

"Colonel," he cried, "I relieve you of your charge. You have done well.
I am the equal in rank of General Elio, and there is no need that you
should convoy this party to his camp. I will assume the full
charge--yes, and responsibility. By the Holy St. Vincent, I promised
them twenty for one when they slew my mother in the Square of the
Barbican. But I knew not from how evil a vine-stock I should gather my
second vintage. A poor commandant's wife from a petty Valentian fort was
the best I could do for them at the time. But now--the mother of Ramon
Cabrera shall be atoned for in such a fashion as shall make the world
sit dumb!"

While Cabrera was speaking Rollo grew slowly chill, and then ice-cold
with horror.

"Sir," he said, his voice suddenly hoarse and broken, "surely you do not
realise what you are saying. These ladies are under my protection. They
have committed themselves to my care under the most sacred and absolute
pledges that their lives shall be respected. The same is the case with
regard to Senor Munoz. It is absolutely necessary that I should place
them all under the care of General Elio as the personal representative
of the King!"

"I have already told you, sir," cried Cabrera, furiously, "that I am of
equal rank with any Elio or other general in the armies of Don Carlos.
Have not I done more than any other? Was it not I who carried my command
to the gates of Madrid? Aye, and had I been left to myself, I should
have succeeded in cutting off that fox Mendizabal. Now, however, I am
absol