"Would you pay my ransom?" I inquired, turning to her.
"With my life," said she, solemnly.
"Greater love hath no man than this," said the good Pere Joulin, smiling as the others laughed.
"And none has greater obligation," said Louise, blushing with embarrassment. "Has he not brought us three out of captivity?"
"Well, if I am taken," I said, "nothing can bring me back unless it be—"
"A miracle?" the baroness prompted as I paused.
"Yes; even a resurrection," was my answer. "I know what it means for a man to be captured there these days."
Louise sat beside me, and I saw what others failed to notice—her napkin stop quickly on its way to her lips, her hand tighten as it held the white linen. It made me regretful of my thoughtless answer, but oddly happy for a moment. Then they all besought me for some adventure of those old days in the army. I told them the story of the wasps, and, when I had finished, our baroness told of the trouble it led to—their capture and imprisonment.
"It was very strange," said she, in conclusion. "That Englishman grew kinder every day we were there, until we began to feel at home."
They were all mystified, but I thought I could understand it. We had a long evening of music, and I bade them all good-by before going to bed, for they were to be off early.