“So, good lieutenant, you have been improving your time, I hear?”
“Haven’t I, though? Such a delicious stroll! Haller, this is a paradise.”
“Where have you been?”
“Feeding the swans,” replied Clayley, with a laugh. “But, by the way, your chère amie hangs her pretty head this morning. She seems hurt that you have not been up. She kept constantly looking towards the house.”
“Clayley, will you do me the favour to order the men to their saddles?”
“What! going so soon? Not before breakfast, though?”
“In five minutes.”
“Why, Captain, what’s the matter? And such a breakfast as they are getting! Oh, Don Cosmé will not hear of it.”
“Don Cosmé—.”
Our host entered at that moment, and, listening to his remonstrances, the order was rescinded, and I consented to remain.