“Simplicity may be a virtue.  We will overlook that.”

“Then she sometimes clips the king’s English!”

“There is no statute against it, like clipping his coin.”

“She is afflicted, moreover, with an inveterate love of sight-seeing.”

“That is a positive virtue.  I have fellow-feeling with her.  She would be no true woman if she ever lost her chance at a spectacle.  But what is her misfortune?”

“She is the wife of a commissary,” said L’Isle with a very grave face.

“Why L’Isle,” said Lord Strathern, “has Shortridge brought his wife to Elvas?”

“Yes, my lord, they came last night.  Yes, Lady Mabel; the woman who marries a commissary can hardly escape being the wife of a knave!”

“But I really believe,” said his lordship, “that our rascal is the most honest fellow in the commissariat department.”

“That is not saying much for his honesty.”

“I hope for the honor of human nature,” interposed Major Conway, “that there are honest men among commissaries?”

“It is no imputation on human nature to think otherwise,” said L’Isle; “You might as soon hope there are honest men among pickpockets.  For some good reason or other, honest men cannot follow either trade.”

“That is one of your prejudices, L’Isle,” said Lord Strathern, “and in them you are a true bigot.  You are too hard upon poor Shortridge and his brethren.  Shortridge is a very good fellow, though a little vulgar it is true.  And he always cheats with a conscience, and so do many of his brethren.”

“I shall have no scruples of conscience in making use of Mrs. Commissary, if I can,” said Lady Mabel.  “I hope she is of a sociable temper?”

“Quite so.  And moreover, I forgot one trait that will make her particularly accessible to you.  She is very fond of people of fashion, and a title secures her esteem.

“Then she belongs to me, for I shall not be wanting in attention to your newly arrived friend.  How comes she to be your friend?”

L’Isle told Mrs. Shortridge’s adventure in the Patriarchal church; mentioned the straits she was now in for lodgings, and his intention to yield his present quarters to her.

“Why Colonel L’Isle,” exclaimed Lady Mabel, “you must be the very pink of chivalry.  I do not know which most to admire, your gallant rescue of the dame, or your self-sacrificing spirit in finding her a home.”

“You will make Shortridge jealous, L’Isle, by taking such good care of his wife,” said Lord Strathern.

“Our sharp friend has too much sense,” answered L’Isle, “to be guilty of such folly as that.”

Major Conway setting the example, L’Isle now thought it time to take his leave, and he returned to his quarters with the air of a man who thought he had done a good day’s work.

“I think,” said Lord Strathern to his daughter, “that L’Isle is improving in manners.”