left the saddle. Entering his quarters hastily, he broke it open, and
read it with infinite satisfaction.

(Lady Mabel Stewart sends her compliments to Col. L'Isle. She has a
presentment that her pleasant sojourn in Elvas draws to its end. Like
Mrs. Shortridge, she is ambitious to leave among her Portuguese
friends, the most favorable recollection of herself. So to-night she
will spare no pains, but will dress, look, sing and act her best, and
be as agreeable as she can to the natives at Mrs. Shortridge's house.
She relies, confidently, on Col. L'Isle's attending her as
interpreter, and saying a thousand witty and pleasant things in her
name. This, too, may be her last opportunity of thanking him for the
many, many delightful excursions enjoyed under his guidance and
protection. She may never repeat, but can never forget them!)

This note relieved L'Isle of a load of anxiety. It was plain that Lord
Strathern had gotten over his anger, and meant to have no quarrel with
him; or, more gratifying still, would not have the whole house of
Strathern involved in it, and so had given no hint of it to his
daughter. It was too the first note he had ever received from Lady
Mabel, and sportive as its tone was in the beginning, there was
something of feeling and even sadness in its close. L'Isle well knew,
while Lady Mabel had only chosen to assume it, that the time for
leaving Elvas was indeed at hand. Yet a few days, and a few things
were more uncertain than his again meeting Lady Mabel on this side of
the grave.

A few golden hours had yet to fleet by. Who would throw away a
happiness because it is fleeting? L'Isle had sunk into a delightful
reverie, anticipating the pleasures of the evening, when his man of