Your Excellency will remember a certain affair at Tavora some two months ago--the invasion of a convent by a British officer with rather disastrous consequences and the loss of some lives." "I remember it perfectly, my lord.

I had the honour of entertaining Sir Terence upon that subject on the occasion of my last visit here." "Quite so," said his lordship.

"And on the grounds of political expediency you made a bargain then with Sir Terence, I understand, a bargain which entailed the perpetration of an injustice." "I am not aware of it, my lord." "Then let me refresh your Excellency's memory upon the facts.

To appease the Council of Regency, or rather to enable me to have my way with the Council and remove the Principal Souza, you stipulated for the assurance--so that you might lay it before your Council--that the offending officer should be shot when taken." "I could not help myself in the matter, and--" "A moment, sir.

That is not the way of British justice, and Sir Terence was wrong to have permitted himself to consent; though I profoundly appreciate the loyalty to me, the earnest desire to assist me, which led him into an act the cost of which to himself your Excellency can hardly appreciate.