Words followed, and then some one--Lady O'Moy, I think, and as I imagine with intent to soothe the feelings of Count Samoval, which appeared to be ruffled--appealed to his vanity by mentioning the fact that he was himself a famous swordsman.

To this Captain Tremayne's observation was a rather unfortunate one, although I must confess that I was fully in sympathy with it at the time.

He said, as nearly as I remember, that at the moment Portugal was in urgent need of famous swords to defend her from invasion and not to increase the disorders at home." Lord Wellington looked up from the notes and thoughtfully stroked his high-bridged nose.

His stern, handsome face was coldly impassive, his fine eyes resting upon the prisoner, but his attention all to what Colonel Grant was saying.
"It was a remark of which Samoval betrayed the bitterest resentment.
He demanded of Captain Tremayne that he should be more precise, and Tremayne replied that, whilst he had spoken generally, Samoval was welcome to the cap if he found it fitted him.

To that he added a suggestion that, as the conversation appeared to be tiresome to the ladies, it would be better to change its topic.