h to reply.

* * * * *

But though worsted at the General's tent, the young adventurer was by no
means defeated. None knew better how to fall back that he might the
further leap. He had failed utterly with Cabrera, and as he came out
the camp was still humming with the scandal concerning Concha. The
Englishman, having finished repairing the cape of his military cloak,
had been awaiting events within the tent with the greatest interest. In
fact, he had been undisguisedly listening.

As Rollo came out he congratulated him in a low tone.

"Every moment since you entered," he said, "I have been expecting to
hear the guard summoned and orders given to have you shot forthwith.
Ramon Cabrera does not wait a second time to assure himself of his
prisoners, I can tell you. You have come off very well. Only take my
advice and don't try it again!"

"I will not!" said Rollo, whose thoughts were elsewhere. "I am obliged
to you, sir!"

"By the way," continued the other, with a pertinacity which offended
Rollo in his present state of mind, "there is great news in the camp.
That girl who came with you proved to be a spark among our tinder. These
Spaniards can resist nothing in the shape of a petticoat, you know. And
gad, sir, I don't know why in this case they should. For I will say that
a handsomer girl I never set eyes upon, and demmy, sir, Colonel Frank
Merry has seen some high steppers in his time, I can tell you!"

"If you refer to the Senorita Concha Cabezos," said Rollo, haughtily,
"she is betrothed in marriage to me, and such remarks are highly
offensive!"

"No offence--no offence--deuced sorry, I'm sure," said Colonel Frank,
whose name as well as his jolly proportions indicated the utmost
good-humour. "But the fact is, I heard--mind, I only say I _heard_--that
the young lady has gone off with a good-looking young Vitorian trooper
of the Estella regiment, one Adrian Zumaya. He removed his horse from
the lines on pretext of grooming it, and the pair have gone off
together!"

"If you will favour me with the name of your informant," answered Rollo,
"I shall have the pleasure of running him through the body!"

The Falstaffian Colonel Don Francisco Merry waved his hand and smiled
blandly.

"In that case, I fear, you must decimate the entire command," he said;
"the boys down there are all on the shout on account of Master Adrian's
good fortune. But I should advise that ingenious young gentl