“And, faith, it’s a strange thing!” muttered O’Shaughnessy, thinking aloud; “a most extraordinary thing! An honest fellow would be sure to be hanged; and there’s that old rogue, that’s been melting down more saints and blessed Virgins than the whole army together, he’ll escape. Ye’ll see he will!” “There goes the patrol,” said Fred; “we must start.” “Leave the sherry, boys; you’ll be back again. I’ll have it put up carefully.” We could scarcely resist a roar of laughter as we said, “Good-night.” “Adieu, Major,” said I; “we shall meet soon.” So saying, I followed Power and O’Shaughnessy towards their quarters. “Maurice has done it beautifully!” said Power. “Pleasant revelations the old fellow will make on the court-martial, if he only remembers what we’ve heard to-night! But here we are, Charley; so good-night, and remember, you breakfast with me to-morrow.” CHAPTER XXIX. THE CONFIDENCE. “I have changed the venue, Charley,” said Power, as he came into my room the following morning,--“I’ve changed the venue, and come to breakfast with you.” I could not help smiling as a certain suspicion crossed my mind; perceiving which, he quickly added,-- “No, no, boy! I guess what you’re thinking of. I’m not a bit jealous in that quarter. The fact is, you know, one cannot be too guarded.” “Nor too suspicious of one’s friends, apparently.” “A truce with quizzing. I say, have you reported yourself?” “Yes; and received this moment a most kind note from the general. But it appears I’m not destined to have a long sojourn among you, for I’m desired to hold myself in readiness for a journey this very day.” “Where the deuce are they going to send you now?” “I’m not certain of my destination. I rather suspect there are despatches for Badajos. Just tell Mike to get breakfast, and I’ll join you immediately.” When I walked into the little room which served as my _salon_, I found Power pacing up and down, apparently wrapped in meditation. “I’ve been thinking, Charley,” said he, after a pause of about ten minutes,--“I’ve been thinking over our adventures in Lisbon. Devilish strange girl that senhora! When you resigned in my favor, I took it for granted that all difficulty was removed. Confound it! I no sooner began to profit by your absence, in pressing my suit, than she turned short round, treated me with marked coldness, exhibited a hundred wilful and capricious fancies, and concluded one day by quietly confessing to me you were the only man she cared for.” “You are not serious in all this, Fred?” said I.