This caused delay and investigation, for at first the sergeant of the guard would not believe that it was his acting commandant who spoke without.
"Pardon, Excellency," he said when he had inspected him with a lantern, "but I did not think that you would be going the rounds with a lady in your sledge," and holding up the light the man took a long look at Lysbeth, grinning visibly as he recognised her.
"Ah, he is a gay bird, the captain, a very gay bird, and it's a pretty Dutch dickey he is teaching to pipe now," she heard him call to a comrade as he closed the heavy gates behind their sleigh.
Then followed more visits to other military posts in the town, and with each visit a further explanation.

All this while the Count Montalvo uttered no word beyond those of ordinary compliment, and ventured on no act of familiarity; his conversation and demeanour indeed remaining perfectly courteous and respectful.

So far as it went this was satisfactory, but at length there came a moment when Lysbeth felt that she could bear the position no longer.
"Senor," she said briefly, "take me home; I grow faint." "With hunger doubtless," he interrupted; "well, by heaven! so do I.But, my dear lady, as you are aware, duty must be attended to, and, after all, you may have found some interest in accompanying me on a tour of the pickets at night.

I know your people speak roughly of us Spanish soldiers, but I hope that after this you will be able to bear testimony to their discipline.

Although it is a fete day you will be my witness that we have not found a man off duty or the worse for drink.