ady Mabel," said Bradshawe mischievously. "It
is lucky for L'Isle that the Stewarts of Strathern are not now
represented by a son. As it is, L'Isle will have to make his
submission with the best grace he can."

"I trust Lady Mabel will accept it in some other shape than slighting
Sir Rowland's order," said Conway. "L'Isle will not do that."

"That, and nothing else," said Lady Mabel resolutely--almost
angrily. "I hold myself to be quite as good as Sir Rowland, and the
first appointment was with me."

"Sir Rowland will have to yield precedence to you, Lady Mabel," said
Bradshawe. "If L'Isle knows the penalty, he will have to attend on
you."

"Begging Lady Mabel's pardon," said Conway, "L'Isle will do no such
thing."

"Conway," said Lord Strathern, with a sneer, "this punctilious friend
of yours is very exacting--toward other people. But I will bet you
fifty guineas that he keeps Sir Rowland waiting for news of a batch of
ragamuffins not worth hearing about."

"My funds are rather low just now," said Conway, "to hazard fifty
guineas on a bet."

"I thought you would not back him but in words," said Lord Strathern,
in a contemptuous tone.

"Nay," said Conway, stung by his manner, "I know that where duty is
concerned, L'Isle is a punctilious man. To obey every order to the
letter and the second, is a point of honor with him, and I will risk
my money upon him."

"Done," said Lord Strathern; "and now, Mabel, use your wits to keep
the fellow here, and make a fool of him; and I will expose and laugh
at him, as he deserves, at Alcantara."

"But this is a regular plot against poor L'Isle," objected Conway.

"Plot or no plot, it is understood that you give him no hint," said
Lord Strathern.

"Certainly not," exclaimed Bradshawe, rubbing his hands together.
"Conway, you must not blab."

"I suppose I must not," said Conway, with a very grave face, chiefly
for L'Isle, but partly for his fifty guineas. "But this is a serious
matter. It may be of vital importance for Sir Rowland to know at once
if the Andalusian reserve"--

"The Andalusian reserve," said Lord Strathern, interrupting him, "will
never let themselves be food for powder."

Lady Mabel now slipped out of the room, to hide her confusion and
anxiety; and Major Conway, finding my lord not in a mood to please or
be pleased, soon took leave, followed by Bradshawe in high glee,
though he suppressed the outward signs of it until he had turned his
back upon the