sion, repeated coolly his former question. In an instant
all thought of Hammersley was forgotten. I remembered no more. I saw him
before me, he who had, since my first meeting, continually contrived to
pass some inappreciable slight upon me. My eyes flashed, my hands tingled
with ill-repressed rage, as I said,--

"With Captain Hammersley I am conscious of no quarrel, nor have I ever
shown by any act or look an intention to provoke one. Indeed, such
demonstrations are not always successful; there are persons most rigidly
scrupulous for a friend's honor, little disposed to guard their own."

"You mistake," said he, interrupting me, as I spoke these words with a look
as insulting as I could make it,--"you mistake. I have sworn a solemn oath
never to _send_ a challenge."

The emphasis upon the word "send," explained fully his meaning, when I
said,--

"But you will not decline--"

"Most certainly not," said he, again interrupting, while with sparkling eye
and elated look he drew himself up to his full height. "Your friend is--"

"Captain Power; and yours--"

"Sir Harry Beaufort. I may observe that, as the troops are in marching
order, the matter had better not be delayed."

"There shall be none on my part."

"Nor mine!" said he, as with a low bow and a look of most ineffable
triumph, he sprang into his saddle; then, "_Au revoir_, Mr. O'Malley," said
he, gathering up his reins. "Beaufort is on the staff, and quartered at
Oporto." So saying, he cantered easily down the slope, and once more I was
alone.

CHAPTER XLIX.

THE ROUTE CONTINUED.

I was leisurely examining my pistols,--poor Considine's last present to me
on leaving home,--when an orderly sergeant rode up, and delivered into my
hands the following order:--

Lieutenant O'Malley will hold himself in immediate readiness to
proceed on a particular service. By order of his Excellency the
Commander of the Forces.
[Signed] S. GORDON, Military Secretary.

"What can this mean?" thought I. "It is not possible that any rumor of my
intended meeting could have got abroad, and that my present destination
could be intended as a punishment?"

I walked hurriedly to the door of the little hut which formed my quarters;
below me in the plain, all was activity and preparation, the infantry were
drawn up in marching order, baggage wagons, ordnance stores, and artillery
seemed all in active preparation, and some cavalry squadrons might be
alread