to murder us all. That woman is the very old goatherdess with whom
the Princess Isabel was so bewitched this morning! I knew some evil
would come of such ongoings!"

"Hush, Susana," said her mistress with severity; "when you are asked for
any information, be ready to give it. Till then hold your peace."

Which having said she turned haughtily back again to the strangers,
without vouchsafing a glance at her husband or the trembling handmaiden.

"I can well believe," she said, "that you have come here to do us a
service in our present temporary difficulty, and for that, if I find you
of approved fidelity, you shall not fail to be rewarded. Meantime, I
accept your service, and I place you and the whole of your men under the
immediate command of his Excellency the Duke of Rianzares!"

She turned to the tall exquisite who still continued to comb his
whiskers by the chimney-piece. Up till now he had not spoken a word.

Rollo scarcely knew what to reply to this, and as for the Sergeant, he
had the hardest work to keep from bursting into a loud laugh.

But they were presently delivered from their difficulty by the newly
nominated commander-in-chief himself.

"This scene is painful to me," said Senor Munoz, placidly, "it irritates
my nerves. I have a headache. I think I shall retire and leave these
gentlemen to make such arrangements as may be necessary till the return
of our guards, which will doubtless take place within an hour or so. If
you need me you can call for me!"

Having made this general declaration he turned to Rollo and addressed
himself particularly to him.

"My rooms, I would have you know, are in the north wing," he continued;
"I beg that there shall be no firing or other brutal noise on that
side. Anything of the kind would be most annoying. So pray see to it."

Then he advanced to where his wife stood, her eyes full of anger at this
desertion.

"My angel," he said, calmly, "I advise you sincerely to do the same.
Retire to your chamber. Take a little _tisane_ for the cooling of the
blood, and leave all other matters to these new friends of ours. I am
sure they appear very honest gentlemen. But as you have many little
valuables lying about, do not forget to lock your door, as I shall mine.
Adieu, my angel!"

And so from an inconceivable height of dandyism his Excellency the Duke
of Rianzares would have stooped to bestow a good night salutation on his
wife's cheek, had not that lady, swiftly recoveri