Villebecque is a great ally
of hers. He always had a weakness for the English aristocracy, and
remembers that he owed his fortune to one of them. Lady Bertie was in
great tribulation this year at Paris: that was the reason she did not
come over before Easter; and Villebecque extricated her from a scrape.
He would assist her now if he could. By-the-bye, the day that I had the
pleasure of making your acquaintance, she was here with Villebecque, an
hour at my door, but I could not see her; she pesters me, too, with her
letters. But I do not like feminine finance. I hope the worthy baron
will be discreet in his alliance with her, for her affairs, which I
know, as I am obliged to know every one's, happen to be at this moment
most critical.'
'I am trespassing on you,' said Tancred, after a painful pause, 'but I
am about to set sail.'
'When?'
'To-morrow; to-day, if I could; and you were so kind as to promise
me----'
'A letter of introduction and a letter of credit. I have not forgotten,
and I will write them for you at once.' And Sidonia took up his pen and
wrote:
A Letter of Introduction.
To Alonzo Lara, Spanish Prior, at the Convent of Terra Santa at
Jerusalem.
'Most holy Father: The youth who will deliver to you this is a pilgrim
who aspires to penetrate the great Asian mystery.
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