estraint upon himself.

But loyalty was his supreme virtue. From the moment Manvers had taken
him on at two pesetas a day he became the perfect servant of a perfect
master. He could have no doubt, naturally, of his ability to
serve--his belief in himself never wavered; but he had none either in
his gentleman's right to command. I believe if Manvers had desired him
to cut off his right hand he would have complied with a smile. "Very
good, master. You wanta my 'and? I do."

If he had a failing it was this: nothing on earth would induce him to
talk his own language to his master. He was unmoved by encouragement,
unconvinced by the fluency of Manvers' Castilian periods; he would have
risked his place upon this one point of honour.

"Espanish no good, sir, for you an' me," he said once with an
irresistible smile. "Too damsilly for you. Capitan Rodney, 'e teach,
me Englisha speech. Now I know it too much. No, sir. You know what
they say--them _filosofistas_?" he asked him on another encounter.
"They say, God Almighty 'e maka this world in Latin--ver' fine for
thata big job. Whata come next? Adamo 'e love his lady in
Espanish--esplendid for maka women love. That old Snaka 'e speak to
'er in French--that persuade 'er too much. Then Eva she esplain in
Italian--ver' soft espeech. Adamo 'e say, That all righta. Then God
Almighty ver' savage. 'E turn roun' on them two. 'E say, That be
blowed, 'e say in English. They understan' 'im too much. Believe
me--is the best for you an' me, sir. All people understan' that
espeech."

Taken as a guide, he installed himself as body servant, silently,
tactfully, but infallibly. Manvers caught him one morning putting
boots by his door. "Hulloa, Gil Perez," he called out, "what are you
doing with my boots?"

Gil's confidential manner was a thing to drink. "That _mozo_,
master--'e fool. 'E no maka shine. I show him how Capitan Rodney lika
'is boots. See 'is a face in 'em." He smirked at his own as he spoke,
and was so pleased that Manvers said no more.

The same night he stood behind his master's chair. Manvers contented
himself by staring at him. Gil Perez smiled with his bright eyes and
became exceedingly busy. Manvers continued to stare, and presently Gil
Perez was observed to be sweating. The poor fellow was self-conscious
for once in his life. Obliged to justify himself, he leaned to his
master's ear.

"That _mozo_, sir, too much of a dam fool. Impos