tact to carry it out, for Samoval is a man to
be handled carefully."

"I'll handle him carefully, devil a fear," said Sir Terence. "You can
depend upon my tact."

Colonel Grant rose. "In this matter of Penalva, I will consider further.
But I do not think there is anything to be done now. The main thing is
to stop up the outlets through which information reaches the French, and
that is my chief concern. How is the stripping of the country proceeding
now?"

"It was more active immediately after Souza left the Government. But the
last reports announce a slackening again."

"They are at work in that, too, you see. Souza will not slumber while
there's vengeance and self-interest to keep him awake." And he held out
his hand to take his leave.

"You'll stay to luncheon?" said Sir Terence. "It is about to be served."

"You are very kind, Sir Terence."

They descended, to find luncheon served already in the open under the
trellis vine, and the party consisted of Lady O'Moy, Miss Armytage,
Captain Tremayne, Major Carruthers, and Count Samoval, of whose presence
this was the adjutant's first intimation.

As a matter of fact the Count had been at Monsanto for the past hour,
the first half of which he had spent most agreeably on the terrace
with the ladies. He had spoken so eulogistically of the genius of Lord
Wellington and the valour of the British soldier, and, particularly-of
the Irish soldier, that even Sylvia's instinctive distrust and dislike
of him had been lulled a little for the moment.

"And they must prevail," he had exclaimed in a glow of enthusiasm, his
dark eyes flashing. "It is inconceivable that they should ever yield
to the French, although the odds of numbers may lie so heavily against
them."

"Are the odds of numbers so heavy?" said Lady O'Moy in surprise, opening
wide those almost childish eyes of hers.

"Alas! anything from three to five to one. Ah, but why should we despond
on that account?" And his voice vibrated with renewed confidence. "The
country is a difficult one, easy to defend, and Lord Wellington's
genius will have made the best of it. There are, for example, the
fortifications at Torres Vedras."

"Ah yes! I have heard of them. Tell me about them, Count."

"Tell you about them, dear lady? Shall I carry perfumes to the rose?
What can I tell you that you do not know so much better than myself?"

"Indeed, I know nothing. Sir Terence is ridiculously secretive," she
assured him, with a