w--"

"Ah! let us think of to-morrow when it comes; to-day we will enjoy
ourselves."

"A pleasant creed," remarked my father, "though more often than not it
leads to ruin. I shall begin to think you are falling a victim to our
South American vice."

"What is that?"

"Never to do to-day what can be put off till to-morrow."

"That is exactly what we are doing," remarked the colonel, "and I quite
agree with you that it is not a paying game, especially in time of war.
A chance once missed never presents itself again."

"An excellent reason for accepting Donna Maria's gracious invitation,"
laughed O'Brien. "Colonel, I congratulate you on your powers of
argument."

Although talking in this bantering way, it must not be thought that he
was really in favour of remaining idle; but he was a soldier, and had
to obey orders, however much he disliked them.

My father, being a member of the government, was in a much worse
position, as many held him responsible in a measure for the lazy way in
which the war was being conducted. Really he had no power over the
army at all, and could not on his own authority have moved a section of
recruits.

O'Brien had spoken truly in saying that the officers had taken to
dancing instead of climbing. All the chief families opened their doors
to them, and our neighbour, Montilla, who had so suddenly been
converted to our side, gave a ball more brilliant than even the oldest
inhabitant could remember.

Thus the days passed into weeks; my ankle grew strong and well, I was
able to resume my duties, and still there was no sign of moving. We
held possession of Lima and Callao, but on the other side of the
mountains the Royalists did as they pleased.

"I hope," remarked my father more than once, "that when we wish to move
we shall be able to do so."

CHAPTER XVII.

DUTY FIRST.

As far as we in Peru were concerned, the winter of 1821-22 passed
without disturbance; but Colonel Miller busied himself in drilling the
new regiment of Peruvians which had been placed under his command. As
he had made me his aid-de-camp, we were much together, and he paid
frequent visits to our house, where he was always gladly welcomed.

Owing to my father's office, I saw a great deal at this time of the
protector, who treated me with extreme kindness. Although such a great
soldier, he had no love for war, and planned to bring about the real
independence of the country without fighting.

"I do not