Early on that morning, accordingly, the party assembled at headquarters, and their horses and mules crowded the little court of the monastic building.  L’Isle had provided an arriero for a guide, with his three mules for their baggage.  The kind, and quantity, too, of provision he had prepared for their journey, was a reflection on the resources and hospitality of the country they were to pass through.  Nor had the commissary been negligent of creature comforts.

Lord Strathern placed his daughter in the saddle.  “Remember, ma belle, your blood is not used to this feverous climate, and even your pretty neck may get broken in a mountain path.”

Lady Mabel listened with dutiful attention to the warnings of experience against the dangers from the noonday sun, the chilly night wind, and fast riding over rough paths; but, full of anticipated pleasure, she perhaps did not remember them an hour after.

“You are much encumbered with baggage, L’Isle,” said Lord Strathern; “and your party larger than I expected.”

“My party, papa,” said Lady Mabel, with an air of asserting her position.  “I like to travel in good style.  This is my retinue, and a very complete one it is.  Colonel L’Isle is my dragoman, and interprets for me among the barbarous natives.  The servants, armed to the teeth, are my guards.  The commissary is my purveyor, and,” she added, glancing at his rotund figure, “I have no fear of starving in his company.  Mrs. Shortridge, though she does not look sour enough for the office, is my duenna, punctilious and watchful—­” Here she suddenly broke off her discourse, and fixed her eyes on old Moodie, who now entered the court, leading in a powerful horse of her father’s, with a pair of huge holsters at the saddle-bow.  Being a small and an old man, he climbed stiffly and with some difficulty into the saddle; but, when seated there, his earnest face and resolute air made him look a hero of the covenant quitting the conventicle for the battle-field.

After watching him in silent surprise, she exclaimed:  “Why, Moodie, are you going too?  I did not know that you were so fond of traveling, and so inquisitive about these idolatrous foreigners and their country.”

“I would gladly turn my back on them and their country; but my duty forbids it.”

“But how will papa do without you?”

“Better than your ladyship can.”

“But you have made yourself so useful, indeed necessary, as steward in this house, which needed one sadly.”

“Perhaps, so, my lady.  But I know where I am most needed.  I do not mean to lose sight of you for twenty-four hours, until you are safe at Craiggyside.”

Lady Mabel looked exceedingly provoked and much out of countenance at the surveillance he assumed over her.  Did he think her still a child now, when she felt herself a woman?  It was well she did not ask him that question, for Moodie thought this the time when she needed most watching.  She was about to forbid his following her, but her father, laughing at her discomfiture, said, “Moodie told me last night that he would have to be of the party.  He got his general orders before he left Scotland, and in this case my sister is commander-in-chief.”