"Perhaps in the same wars as yourself; though, instead of saying that I served, I ought only say that I fought."
"In this region?"
"Yes, under the orders of Charette."
"Ah ha!"
"I was his aide-de-camp."
"Then this is not the first time we have met, marquis."
"Is that really so?"
"Yes, I made the campaigns of 1795 and 1796 in La Vendée."
"Ah! bravo! that delights me," cried the marquis; "then we can talk at dessert of our youthful prowess--Ah, general," said the old gentleman, with a certain melancholy, "it is getting to be a rare thing on either side to find those who can talk of the old campaigns. But here come the young ladies to tell us that supper is ready. General, will you give your arm to one of them? the captain will take the other." Then, addressing the rest of the officers, he said, "Gentlemen, will you follow the general into the dining-room?"
They sat down to table,--the general between Mary and Bertha, the marquis between two officers. Maître Loriot took the seat next to Bertha, intending, in the course of the meal, to get in a word about Michel. He had made up his mind that, so far as he was concerned, the marriage contract should be drawn in his office.