long Ciudad Rodrigo may be able to hold out. At any moment we may
have the French upon the Agueda, and the invasion may begin. As
for you, O'Moy, this has changed everything. The French and the
needs of the case have decided. For the present no change is
possible in the administration here in Lisbon. You hold the
threads of your office and the moment is not one in which to
appoint another adjutant to take them over. Such a thing
might be fatal to the success of the British arms. You must
withdraw this resignation." And he proffered the document.

Sir Terence recoiled. He went deathly white.

"I cannot," he stammered. "After what has happened, I - "

Lord Wellington's face became set and stern. His eyes blazed
upon the adjutant.

"O'Moy," he said, and the concentrated anger of his voice was
terrifying, "if you suggest that any considerations but those of
this campaign have the least weight with me in what I now do, you
insult me. I yield to no man in my sense of duty, and I allow no
private considerations to override it. You are saved from going
home in disgrace by the urgency of the circumstances, as I have
told you. By that and by nothing else. Be thankful, then; and
in loyally remaining at your post efface what is past. You know
what is doing at Torres Vedras. The works have been under your
direction from the commencement. See that they are vigorously
pushed forward and that the lines are ready to receive the army
in a month's time from now if necessary. I depend upon you -
the army and England's honour depend upon you. I bow to the