"My Colonel, papa? I assure you I lay no claim to him," said Lady
Mabel, hastily disclaiming all interest in poor L'Isle.

"Why do you have him so much about you, then, and quote him so often?"

"Why, my lord," said Bradshawe, again interposing, "Lady Mabel cannot
but see and hear much of L'Isle, while she sees so much of Mrs.
Shortridge, their mutual friend."

Lady Mabel was truly thankful for this diversion. It gave her one
moment to think, and that was enough. In her father's present mood,
L'Isle could not escape gross insult at their next meeting. She felt
that the best way to molify his anger was to take up his quarrel
vigorously herself. So, warming herself into a fit of indignation
becoming the occasion, she exclaimed: "It is no fault of mine that I
see so much of Colonel L'Isle. Why do you make him so often your
guest? As Colonel Bradshawe says, I have no fit companion here but
Mrs. Shortridge, and he is often with her. As to his presumption, it
is not so new to me as you suppose. I have often laughed at him for
his vanity in thinking that nobody can do anything as well as
himself. I have had to check him before this for presuming to find
fault with your management of the brigade; but did not imagine he
would have the impertinence to insinuate to your face that he could
command it better than you do."

"By Jove!" exclaimed Lord Strathern, "indirectly, he as good as told
me so."

"So it seems," said Lady Mabel indignantly. "I am your daughter, and
resent such boyish impertinence more even than you do. I will take the