Rowland. He needs you for a special service, and this letter contains
his instructions."

"Is it in verse, Papa?" asked Lady Mabel, coming close up beside her
father.

"In verse, child? What are you dreaming of? Sir Rowland is a sane man,
and never writes verses?"

"I thought it might be a growing custom to correspond in verse. The
last letter I received was in regular stanzas."

"Who from?" asked Lord Strathern.

"A Spaniard--a genuine Spaniard, of the purest water," said Lady
Mabel. "And, strange to tell, I never saw him but once in my life."

"The impudent rascal!" exclaimed his lordship. "I will have him
horsewhipped by way of answer, a stripe for every line."

"Nay," said Lady Mabel, "a stripe for every bad line will be cutting
criticism enough."

"Who is this fellow? Is it the Don Alonso Melendez you were telling me
of?"

"Never mind his name, Papa. I am afraid you might have him flayed
alive, while the poor fellow deserves nothing but laughter for his
doggerel." And while this doggerel was secretly pressed by her bosom,
she stole a look at L'Isle, and was surprised to see how little galled