"The count is absent," the servant answered; "but the countess is in."
"I will speak to her."
Leaving them standing in the hall, the man ascended a wide staircase, and in a minute or two returned and motioned to the sergeant to follow him.
They ascended the stairs and entered a large and handsome room, in which sat a lady of some forty years old, with three younger ones of from sixteen to twenty years old.
Countess Preskoff was a very handsome woman, and her daughters had inherited her beauty.
The sergeant advanced and handed to her the order. She glanced at it, and an expression of displeasure passed across her face.
"The commandant's orders shall be obeyed," she said coldly; and the sergeant, saluting, retired.
The countess turned to her daughters.
"The commandant has quartered two prisoners, English officers, upon us," she said. "Of course he has done it to annoy us. I suppose these are they." And she rose and approached the lads, who were standing by the door. "Why, they are boys," she said in surprise, "and will do for playfellows for you, Olga. Poor little fellows, how cruel to send such boys to fight!"
Then she came up to the boys and bade them welcome with an air of kindness which they both felt.