"Have you the letter of challenge that Captain Bezan sent?"
"Excellency, yes."
"I will see it."
"Excellency, at your pleasure," said the general, hoping not to have been obliged to show this document.
"Now, if you please, general."
"At once, excellency."
General Harero produced the letter, and handed it with something very like a blush tinging his sunburnt check, to his commander-in-chief. Tacon read it slowly, pausing now and then to re-read a line, and then, remarked, as he slowly folded it up once more:
"A love affair."
"Why, your excellency will easily understand that the young officer has dared to lift his eyes to one above his rank, and she cares nothing for him. His causes for complaint are all imaginary."
"Well, be this as it may, in that I shall not interfere. He has been guilty of a serious breach of discipline and must suffer for it. You may take the necessary steps at once in the matter, general."