ves rose to greet him. He bore
her ladyship's hand to his lips with perfunctory courtesy, then insisted
upon her resuming her chair. Then he bowed--ever with that mixture of
stiffness and deference--to Miss Armytage upon her being presented to
him by the adjutant.

"Do not suffer me to disturb you," he begged them. "Sit down, O'Moy. I
am not pressed, and I shall be monstrous glad of a few moments' rest.
You are very pleasant here," and he looked about the luxuriant garden
with approving eyes.

Sir Terence placed the hospitality of his table at his lordship's
disposal. But the latter declined graciously.

"A glass of wine and water, if you will. No more. I breakfasted at
Torres Vedras with Fletcher." Then to the look of astonishment on the
faces of the ladies he smiled. "Oh yes," he assured them, "I was early
astir, for time is very precious just at present, which is why I drop
unannounced upon you from the skies, O'Moy." He took the glass that
Mullins proffered on a salver, sipped from it, and set it down.
"There is so much vexation, so much hindrance from these pestilential
intriguers here in Lisbon, that I have thought it as well to come in
person and speak plainly to the gentlemen of the Council of Regency." He
was peeling off his stout riding-gloves as he spoke. "If this campaign
is to go forward at all, it will go forward as I dispose. Then, too, I
wanted to see Fletcher and the works. By gad, O'Moy, he has performed
miracles, and I am very pleased with him--oh, and with you too. He told
me how ably you have seconded him and counselled him where necessary.
You must have worked night and day, O'Moy." He sighed. "I wish that I
were as well served in every direction." And then he broke off abruptly.
"But this is monstrous tedious for your ladyship, and for you, Miss
Armytage. Forgive me."

Her ladyship protested the contrary, professing a deep interest
in military matters, and inviting his lordship to continue. Lord
Wellington, however, ignoring the invitation, turned the conversation
upon life in Lisbon, inquiring hopefully whether they found the place
afforded them adequate entertainment.

"Indeed yes," Lady O'Moy assured him. "We are very gay at times. There
are private theatricals and dances, occasionally an official ball, and
we are promised picnics and water-parties now that the summer is here."

"And in the autumn, ma'am, we may find you a little hunting," his
lordship promised them. "Plenty of foxes; a