“I bowed coldly, and rose from the table. They all assembled upon the terrace to see me ride away. “‘You’ll let us hear from you,’ said Don Emanuel. “‘And pray don’t forget the letter to my brother,’ cried old Madame Forjas. “Twenty similar injunctions burst from the party, but not a word said Inez. “‘Adieu, then!’ said I. ‘Farewell.’ “‘Adios! Go with God!’ chorused the party. “‘Good-by, Senhora,’ said I. ‘Have _you_ nothing to tell me ere we part?’ “‘Not that I remember,’ said she, carelessly. ‘I hope you’ll have good weather.’ “‘There is a storm threatening,’ said I, gloomily. “‘Well, a soldier cares little for a wet jacket.’ “‘Adieu!’ said I, sharply, darting at her a look that spoke my meaning. “‘Farewell!’ repeated she, curtsying slightly, and giving one of her sweetest smiles. “I drove the spurs into my horse’s flanks, but holding him firmly on the curb at the same moment, instead of dashing forward, he bounded madly in the air. “‘What a pretty creature!’ said she, as she turned towards the house; then stopping carelessly, she looked round,-- “‘Should you like this bouquet?’ “Before I could reply, she disengaged it from her belt, and threw it towards me. The door closed behind her as she spoke. I galloped on to overtake the staff, _et voilà tout_. Now, Charley, read my fate for me, and tell me what this portends.” “I confess I only see one thing certain in the whole.” “And that is?” said Power. “That Master Fred Power is more irretrievably in love than any gentleman on full pay I ever met with.” “By Jove, I half fear as much! Is that orderly waiting for you, Charley? Who do you want my man?” “Captain O’Malley, sir. General Crawfurd desires to see you at headquarters immediately.” “Come, Charley, I’m going towards Fuentes. Take your cap; we’ll walk down together.” So saying, we cantered towards the village, where we separated,--Power to join some Fourteenth men stationed there on duty, and I to the general’s quarters to receive my orders. CHAPTER XXX. THE CANTONMENT. Soon after this the army broke up from Caja, and went into cantonments along the Tagus, the headquarters being at Portalegre. We were here joined by four regiments of infantry lately arrived from England, and the 12th Light Dragoons. I shall not readily forget the first impression created among our reinforcements by the habits of our life at this period. [Illustration: A HUNTING TURN-OUT IN THE PENINSULA.]