At the same time he gave Shortridge to understand
that he wished to get up a party to visit Evora, and Lady Mabel must
be included in it.
"I will ask the commissary to-night when he is going," said Mrs.
Shortridge; "and to take me with him, if he can."
Lady Mabel had listened with silent interest so far; but here she
broke in upon their conference, just as L'Isle desired.
"Why, Mrs. Shortridge," she exclaimed, with a well-feigned air of one
deeply wronged, "do you mean to desert me? After partaking of my
pleasant excursions and botanical instructions (but I find you a very
dull scholar), do you mean to go traveling about, in search of
adventures and rare sights, without even asking me to be of the
party?--I, who am afflicted with a mania for traveling which can only
be cured by being gratified? But such is woman's friendship."
"My dear Lady Mabel, how do you know that my lord would trust you
so far under my care?
"So far!" said Lady Mabel, scornfully. "Did I not come from Scotland
hither, braving the perils of the sea and of the wilderness, the
stormy Bay of Biscay, and the desert of Alemtejo, teeming with robbers
and wild beasts? With no guardian but old Moodie, whose chief merit is
that of being a suspicious old Scot, with the fidelity and
snappishness of a terrier.
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