"'I—a wounded Frenchman!'
"'And wherefore say you so, monsieur?' asked the lady, while her large dark eyes seemed to dilate with alarm; 'is he wounded—slain?'
"'Nay, I hope not, as you are interested in his safety; but he has simply fallen back with his victorious infantry towards the town of Munden.'
"'Thanks—thanks,' said she, turning away; and then, seeing by the light of her lantern that the speaker was a young and very handsome man, she added—'Pardon my selfish anxiety, for Count Hatzfeld is my husband; but you—who are you?'
"'To-night I am your humble servant, madame; this morning I was colonel of the brave Mousquetaires Gris, under Louis XV.'
"'Your name——'
"'Henri, Vicomte de Chateaunoir.'
"'Who was the first to cross the Rhine at Cologne?'
"'I had that honour, madame.'
"'Oh, monsieur, I have heard of you very often.'