The next moment, however, he appeared at my door, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand, and apparently breathless with haste.
"Despatches, Mister Charles, despatches from Lord Wellington.

The orderly is waiting below for a return." "Tell him he shall have it in one moment," replied I."And now bring me a light." Before I had broken the seal of the envelope, Mike was once more at the porch.
"My master is writing a few lines to say he'll do it.

Don't be talking of it," added he, dropping his voice, "but they want him to take another fortress." What turn the dialogue subsequently took, I cannot say, for I was entirely occupied by a letter which accompanied the despatches.

It ran as follows:-- QUARTER-GENERAL, CIUDAD RODRIGO, Jan.

20, 1812.
Dear Sir,--The commander-in-chief has been kind enough to accord you the leave of absence you applied for, and takes the opportunity of your return to England to send you the accompanying letters for his Royal Highness the Duke of York.