"Perhaps it is as well she is gone, Jack," said I, endeavouring to imitate his light-hearted indifference; "had she remained among us another week, I would certainly have booked for her, and so have bedevilled myself, as you said yesterday." "For Donna Paulina?" "Of course--had you any doubts as to which?" "Why--no. I certainly did not think that you were in love with the mother." "Well," said I, impatiently. "Paulina is very beautiful, no doubt; she has those Andalusian eyes and ancles which all the world talk about, but which all the world must see to feel the full effect of either. She has a charming manner--a glorious 'espiêglerie'--yes, that's the word! full of pretty repartee, and all that sort of thing--you understand me, Dick, or Don Ricardo, as she called you; but withal, I assure you, I should not like to enter for a Spanish wife, of all women in the world; no, no--what does the song say?" and as we reascended to the higher parts of the fortress, this careless fellow sang aloud a scrap of a popular mess-table song, somewhat to this purpose:-- "No fair fräulein or demoiselle, nor donna with her smile, Shall ever teach me to forget the dear ones of our isle; And when I seek a heart and hand among the fair and free, Still constant in my faith, I'll say an English girl for me." "That is the mark, Dick,-- "----an English girl for me!" Besides, half of the young fellows in garrison here ran after Paulina; and at every mess-table she was as well known as the big drum, or the regimental snuff-box, or that great ram's head with its devilish horns, with which those highland fellows of the 92nd decorate their table, after the cloth is removed. At every jail, field-day, and tertulia--at church, and on the promenade, a crowd of admirers surrounded her, like flies round honey, and she seemed to be equally delighted with all." "That was one of the peculiar charms of her manner, Jack," said I. "Peculiar, indeed!" said he, letting out a cloud of smoke from his well-mustachioed lip. "In public, she distinguished none in particular, but was alike gay with all." "And in private, who was said generally to be the happy Lothario?" I made no reply, but knocked the ashes away from the 'very superior' cabana, with which he had just favoured me. "It was said to be a certain person known as Dick Ramble of 'Ours'," continued Slingsby, in his bantering way; "but I am deuced glad it is all over, like any other flirtation, and you are 'free to win and free to wed another;' I don't like Spaniards--and never shall. In fact, I have hated them ever since that unpleasant adventure I had at Malaga last year, and about which I shall tell you some other time; but here come Shafton, Morton, and some more of 'Ours,' and as soon as we leave the mess, we shall adjourn to the billiard table."