第81章

I do not know but you are wise.Politics and the science of self-government, although dealing with general principles, are apt to be defined by the individual limitations of the enthusiast.What is good for HIMSELF he too often deems is applicable to the general public, instead of wisely understanding that what is good for THEMmust be good for himself.But," said the Senor lightly, "we are again transgressing.We were to choose another topic.Let it be yourself, Mr.Hurlstone.You are looking well, sir; indeed, I may say I never saw you looking so well! Let me congratulate you.

Health is the right of youth.May you keep both!"He shook Hurlstone's hand again with singular fervor.

There was a slight bustle and commotion at the door of the guard-room, and the Commander's attention was called in that direction.

Hurlstone profited by the opportunity to say in a hurried whisper:

"Tell me what I can do for you;" and he hesitated to voice his renewed uneasiness--"tell me if--if--if your case is--urgent!"Senor Perkins lifted his shoulders and smiled with grateful benevolence.

"You have already promised me to deliver those papers and manuscripts of my deceased friend, and to endeavor to find her relations.I do not think it is urgent, however.""I do not mean that," said Hurlstone eagerly."I"--but Perkins stopped him with a sign that the Commander was returning.

Don Miguel approached them with disturbed and anxious looks.

"I have yielded to the persuasions of two ladies, Dona Leonor and the Senora Markham, to ask you to see them for a moment," he said to Senor Perkins."Shall it be so? I have told them the hour is nearly spent.""You have told them--NOTHING MORE?" asked the Senor, in a whisper unheard by Hurlstone.

"No."

"Let them come, then."

The Commander made a gesture to the sentries at the guard-room, who drew back to allow Mrs.Markham and Eleanor to pass.A little child, one of Eleanor's old Presidio pupils, who, recognizing her, had followed her into the guard-room, now emerged with her, and momentarily disconcerted at the presence of the Commander, ran, with the unerring instinct of childhood, to the Senor for protection.The filibuster smiled, and lifting the child with a paternal gesture to his shoulder by one hand, he extended the other to the ladies.

"The Commander," said Mrs.Markham briskly, "says it's against the rules; that visiting time is up; and you've already got a friend with you, and all that sort of thing; but I told him that I was bound to see you, if only to say that if there's any meanness going on, Susannah and James Markham ain't in it! No! But we're going to see you put right and square in the matter; and if we can't do it here, we'll do it, if we have to follow you to Mexico!--that's all!""And I," said Eleanor, grasping the Senor's hand, and half blushing as she glanced at Hurlstone, "see that I have already a friend here who will help me to put in action all the sympathy I feel."Senor Perkins drew himself up, and cast a faint look of pride towards the Commander.