He came forward quickly, clicked his heels together and bowed to the three men present.
"Sirs, your obedient servant," he announced himself, with a courtliness almost out of fashion, speaking in his extraordinarily fluent English.
His sallow countenance was extremely grave.

He seemed even a little ill at ease.
"I am fortunate to find you here, my lord.

The matter upon which I seek your adjutant-general is of considerable gravity--so much that of himself he might be unable to resolve it.

I feared you might already have departed for the north." "Since you suggest that my presence may be of service to you, I am happy that circumstances should have delayed my departure," was his lordship's courteous answer.

"A chair, Dom Miguel." Dom Miguel Forjas accepted the proffered chair, whilst Wellington seated himself at Sir Terence's desk.