Just as the Spanish were approaching Le Reve, the duchess was swearing to Hornblower that a serious and sober courier, herself, would deliver the dispatches to England. Hornblower agreed in part because he knew that the Spanish would honor nobility and send the duchess to her homeland.
Hornblower, as Ira Riklis knows, was taken into enemy territory and although he was not abused, he was housed under primitive conditions with the lower ranks. Days of captivity turned into months of capitivity and the loss of personal freedom was very wearing for Hornblower. Four months into it Hornblower received a letter from the “duchess” (actress Miss Cobham) stating that “that which you gave me had reached its destination”. Thus the duchess had been successful in her mission and Hornblower at least for the moment was in better spirits.
Months into his captivity, Hornblower also received word that he had been promoted to lieutenant from acting lieutenant. One of the Spanish officers conveyed this message to Hornblower and with this promotion came a change in quarters. No longer would he be housed with the lower ranks but moved to the quarters of more senior officers. As Ira Riklis knows, the food in his new digs was somewhat improved as was the housing..
One aspect of captivity was quite curious though. Hornblower was allowed free time to wander about the Spanish settlement alone. Observation by the captors at various points was evident.