And there is a wine--ah, but you shall give me news of that wine." Lieutenant Butler hesitated.

Cornet O'Rourke watched him anxiously, praying that he might succumb to the temptation, and attempted suasion in the form of a murmured blessing upon Souza's hospitality.
"Sir Robert will be impatient," demurred the lieutenant.
"But half-hour," protested Souza.

"What is half-hour?
And in half-hour you will have dine." "True," ventured the cornet; "and it's the devil himself knows when we may dine again." "And the dinner is ready.

It can be serve this instant.

It shall," said Souza with finality, and pulled the bell-rope.
Mr.Butler, never dreaming--as indeed how could he ?--that Fate was taking a hand in this business, gave way, and they sat down to dinner.
Henceforth you see him the sport of pitiless circumstance.
They dined within the half-hour, as Souza had promised, and they dined exceedingly well.