The individual
must suffer that the nation may triumph. A Roman maxim, my dear
General."
"And a British one," said O'Moy, to whom Britain was a second
Rome.
"Oh, admitted," replied the amiable Samoval. "You proved it by
your uncompromising firmness in the affair of Tavora."
"What was that?" inquired Miss Armytage.
"Have you not heard?" cried Samoval in astonishment.
"Of course not," snapped O'Moy, who had broken into a cold
perspiration. "Hardly a subject for the ladies, Count."
Rebuked for his intention, Samoval submitted instantly.
"Perhaps not; perhaps not," he agreed, as if dismissing it, whereupon
O'Moy recovered from his momentary breathlessness. "But in your
own interests, my dear General, I trust there will be no weakening
when this Lieutenant Butler is caught, and - "
"Who?"
Sharp and stridently came that single word from her ladyship.
Desperately O'Moy sought to defend the breach.
"Nothing to do with Dick, my dear. A fellow named Philip Butler,
who - "
But the too-well-informed Samoval corrected him. "Not Philip,
General - Richard Butler. I had the name but yesterday from Forjas."
In the scared hush that followed the Count perceived that he had
stumbled headlong into a mystery.
Pages:
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93