"You are exceedingly kind, _Monsieur Officier_, by the name of the bomb! most superbly so. But I trust that dilatory little devil, General the Count d’Erlon, will save you all this trouble. And as for my transmission to England—_diable_! I should be sorry his Britannic majesty’s government should take so much concern in my affairs." He smiled sourly, and twirled his black moustaches. "Ha! and what sort of being is the officer who commands on the way to Albuquerque? I hope he will halt at La Nava: I left a sweetheart there twelve months ago, with whom I must leave my card in passing. But the officer,—is he a jovial trump, that will drink and play deep,—stride, swagger, and swear like a Hector?" "None of _ours_ are much given to any of these habits," answered Claude drily. "The Honourable Louis Lisle commands." "Lisle! An ensign is he not? A pretty boy with yellow curls, more like the Duchess de Choiseul’s page than a belted soldier? Ah! we shall get on famously. Such a chit will not cross me in my amusements with these don Spaniards. De Mesmai of Quinsay under the orders of a young Scots sub-lieutenant! Ho, ho! excellent. But, body o’ the Pope! tell me, monsieur, am I really to be kept in the castle of Albuquerque?" "Captain de Mesmai, I have already told you," replied the adjutant, turning to go. "Then permit me to acquaint you, monsieur, that such treatment is tacitly saying you doubt that sacred word of honour which I pledged to Ensign Ronald Stuart, when, as an officer and gentleman, I surrendered myself to him on parole. This being the case, that parole is dissolved; and I consider myself at liberty to effect my escape where, when, and how I please, without dishonour." "As you choose," answered Claude quickly. "But remember, you will probably be shot in the attempt; or if retaken, will be degraded to the rank of a private dragoon,—what in your service you call a _simple cavalier_. Remember, monsieur, to be on the alert at day-break; you will hear the sound of the warning pipes as they pass under the piazzas of your billet." With Lisle’s detachment De Mesmai departed next morning for Albuquerque, but by some means effected his escape on the route there. He afterwards fell into the hands of some of the guerillas of Don Salvador de Zagala’s band, by whom he was treated with less kindness and courtesy than he had received at Merida, and with whom I must for the present leave him. *CHAPTER XV.* *THE HEIGHTS OF ALBUERA. THE CROSS OF SANTIAGO.* "Come away, come away, Hark to the summons! Come in your war array, Gentles and commons. "Come every hill-plaid, and True heart that wears one; Come every steel blade, and Strong hand that bears one." _Pibroch of Donuildhu._