"Terrible to us all." Forjas rose in his agitation. He came to lean
upon O'Moy's writing-table, facing the adjutant. "Surely, sir, our
interests--England's interests and Portugal's--are one in this."

"To be sure. But England's interests can be defended elsewhere than in
Portugal, and it is Lord Wellington's view that they shall be. He has
already warned the Council of Regency that, since his Majesty and the
Prince Regent have entrusted him with the command of the British and
Portuguese armies, he will not suffer the Council or any of its members
to interfere with his conduct of the military operations, or suffer any
criticism or suggestion of theirs to alter system formed upon mature
consideration. But when, finding their criticisms fail, the members of
the Council, in their wrongheadedness, in their anxiety to allow private
interest to triumph over public duty, go the length of thwarting the
measures of which they do not approve, the end of Lord Wellington's
patience has been reached. I am giving your Excellency his own words.
He feels that it is futile to remain in a country whose Government is
determined to undermine his every endeavour to bring this campaign to a
successful issue.

"Yourself, sir, you appear to be distressed. But the Council of Regency
will no doubt take a different view. It will rejoice in the departure
of a man whose military operations it finds so detestable. You will
no doubt discover this when you come to lay Lord Wellington's decision
before the Council, as I now invite you to do."

Bewildered and undecided, Forjas stood there for a moment, vainly
seeking words. Finally:

"Is this really Lord Wellington's last word?" he asked in tones of
profoundest consternation.

"There is one alternative--one only," said O'Moy slowly.

"And that?" Instantly Forjas was all eagerness.

O'Moy considered him. "Faith, I hesitate to state it."

"No, no. Please, please."

"I feel that it is idle."

"Let the Council judge. I implore you, General, let the Council judge."

"Very well." O'Moy shrugged, and took up a sheet of the dispatch which
lay before him. "You will admit, sir, I think, that the beginning of
these troubles coincided with the advent of the Principal Souza upon
the Council of Regency." He waited in vain for a reply. Forjas, the
diplomat, preserved an uncompromising silence, in which presently O'Moy
proceeded: "From this, and from other evidence, of which indeed there
is no lack, Lord We