"I declare, general," said Isabella, unable longer to remain quiet
at his repeated insults to the young officer, "you soldiers are so
very peremptory, that you half disconcert me."
"It is sometimes necessary," was the quick and stern reply, "to be
prompt with young and headstrong officers who do not well understand
their duty, or rather, I may say, who knowing their duty, fail to
perform it," emphasizing the last part of the sentence.
This was intended not only for the lady's ear, but also for that of
Lorenzo Bezan, who barely succeeded in commanding his feelings for
the moment, so far as to turn silently away to return to his post of
observation. The effect of the scene was not lost upon the
high-spirited beauty. Isabella had marked well the words and tone of
voice with which General Harero spoke, and she saw, too, the effect
of his words upon the free, manly spirit of the young soldier, and
from that moment, either intentionally, or by accident, she paid no
further attention during the whole evening to General Harero,
neither turning towards him, nor even speaking to him at all.
The general, of course, observed this particularly, desiring as he
did to stand in the best possible light as it regarded Isabella's
favor, and imputing her conduct to the presence of Captain Bezan,
and the conversation that had taken place relative to his duty
between Captain Bezan and himself; he hated the young officer more
than ever, as being in some degree the cause of preventing the
consummation of his hopes as it regarded the favor of the lady.
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