Robert Harvey's Harriers
somewhere in the neighbourhood of Staines, I think, and Mr. Ford kindly
arranged all the details. The party returned home more than satisfied
with the day's sport. So time passed, only too quickly, and the day came
for their departure. We said good-bye, and I went back to duty.

[Illustration: DON CARLOS]

Some three months later I was agreeably surprised to receive an official
letter stating that Don Carlos had written from Paris expressing the
wish, if it could be granted, that, as some recompense for all the
trouble and, as he put it, hard work, that had fallen to my lot while
looking after him during his stay in London, I might be allowed a month's
leave to stay with him in Paris. The official letter notified me that the
necessary leave had been granted. Once again I was crossing the Channel,
full of contentment, as in the days when I left Woolwich to join him in
Spain. But my hopes were very much brighter. I was not going to see
battles fought or undergo hardships. No; I was going to enjoy myself
thoroughly.

On arrival in Paris I met my cousin, Pepe Ponce de Leon, the aide-de-camp
referred to before. He had, shortly after his return to Paris from
England, married a very rich widow, whose husband had been one of Don
Carlos's principal supporters. They had a beautiful and magnificent house
in the Champs Elysees, which, as a matter of fact, became the
headquarters of the Carlist supporters in Paris, and Pepe had arranged
that it should be my home during my stay. Life indeed was worth living in
those days. Every luxury that one could wish for was at hand, and perhaps
the most enjoyable one was the splendid stud of horses, harness and
riding, which my cousin had got together.

Our usual routine was as follows: _Dejeuner_ was served at noon, at which
Don Carlos generally was present and as many of his late officers and
supporters as cared to come. These _dejeuners_ were full of interest,
party affairs being discussed, but often also full of conviviality
notwithstanding the evil fortunes which had fallen upon the cause. Later
on in the afternoon riding and driving parties were arranged for. In the
evening banquets or private dinner parties were the order of the day,
after which we all made our own plans to amuse ourselves. Paris was very
gay and we generally managed to foregather again at midnight, or
thereabouts, for supper at one or other of the many cafes, where music
and dancing would be