"Monsieur de Baron," said the commander-in-chief, when De Clairville had obeyed the summons, "I have chosen you to carry my despatches to the king; you will find yourself honorably mentioned therein, and I think the favor of royalty will reward your merit."
The baron bowed low as he received the despatches from the hand of the marshal, and was soon ready for the journey, first taking a hasty farewell of his daughter, whom he commended to the care of Madame de Grandville, (or rather Montmorenci,) during his absence.
In five days thereafter, he reported himself to the marshal, and was then at liberty to attend to his private concerns. He found Heloise in the company of Henri and his mother, and the gloom depicted on their countenances presented a singular contrast to the radiant joy that sparkled in the eyes and smiled on the lips of the genial and warm-hearted old soldier. He kissed his daughter, saluted Madame de Grandville, and then, shaking the young guardsman warmly by the hand, exclaimed,—
"Good news, Henri; I bring you a budget of them. The king has heard of your gallantry, and inquired into your story."
"Heaven bless him!" exclaimed the mother.
"The memory of your father," continued the baron, "has been vindicated by a parliamentry decree affirming his innocence. His forfeited estates are restored to his family; and I bring you, under the king's seal, your commission as full colonel in the French Guards, and letters patent of nobility, Count Henri de Montmorenci!"
Henri and his mother were nearly overwhelmed by this good news; while Heloise clung to her father's arm for support.
"No fainting, girl," said the happy baron. "That will never do for a soldier's wife. Here, take her, count, make her happy—and let us hear no more of your volunteering on Forlorn Hopes—at least, during the honeymoon."
We need not add that the baron's injunctions were implicitly obeyed.