Gaspard was soon ready, and hastened away to his post, desiring his two boys to help their mother in his absence. The day so happily begun did not pass without yet further cause for rejoicing. The good soldier, on his return, surprised Katherine with the intelligence that he was promoted to the rank of corporal, and that his captain had, before the whole regiment, expressed approbation of his conduct during the previous day, not only when engaged in the assault, but for the forbearance and humanity he had displayed afterwards, and which redounded no less to his credit than his courage in action. He ended by holding up his example as one deserving to be followed by his fellow-soldiers. Katherine rejoiced almost more over this tribute to her husband's worth than she did at the step he had gained.
The men had also received their arrears of pay, so that the good couple now felt they had wherewithal to provide for the future for some time to come. They retired to rest that night with hearts filled with gratitude for the mercies they had received. In this world, however, unalloyed happiness is the lot of none. The following day Gaspard returned from his duty sad and cast down, the cause of which was the sudden disappearance of his young captain, Otto de Helfenstein. It was not known whether he had been killed by some skirmishing party of the enemy's, or made prisoner, all search for him having, as yet, proved fruitless.
The whole regiment deplored the event, as he was deservedly beloved by the men under his command. Gaspard not only felt deeply the loss of his good and kind captain, but he also felt that in him their little foundling would lose a good benefactor. The child would now be thrown wholly on their care. The poor man looked anxiously at his wife, fearing she might regret this additional burden. She did not leave him long in doubt. "Gaspard," said she, "this child has been given to us;— we will look upon it as our own;—we will trust to God to provide for it as well as for us. The good Baron may yet be alive; but if not, we will do our best. Yes," she added, clasping the little one in her arms, "you shall be in the place of my little Francis."
"Dear wife!" exclaimed Gaspard, interrupting her, "I ought not to have doubted you; but I felt half-afraid I had added to your cares and troubles by bringing this poor little one to you."
"No, no," cried Katherine, "we must never repent of doing a good action;—our adopted child may yet bring us a blessing."
Time passed on, Gaspard and Katherine faithfully fulfilling the duties of the humble position in which God had placed them, and bringing up their children to follow their example. In the midst of the disasters and disturbances of war, they lived in peace and happiness in their little home.
The good soldier had vainly endeavoured to trace the parents of the little Francis, and had at last given up the search.
Nothing had been heard of the young Baron Otto de Helfenstein. The siege of Metz still continued, the Emperor, Charles V., being determined to regain it at any price. It was, however, useless. The town was strongly fortified, and well garrisoned, and was bravely defended by the Duke of Guise. The approach of winter, and the increasing scarcity of provisions, together with sickness and mortality amongst the troops, at last induced the Emperor to abandon the enterprise; and accordingly the army was withdrawn in January, 1553.
Gaspard was sent with his regiment to Anvers, and from thence to the beautiful town of Strasburg. The good soldier and his family stood greatly in need of rest and quiet; they bail suffered much from the hardships and privations of a campaign, though they had been spared all serious illness.
Gaspard had served eighteen years, and had fought in many battles in Germany, Italy, and Hungary: he now longed for repose. Katherine was still more anxious than her husband for a quiet home; she urged him to leave the army, and to adopt some other means of obtaining a livelihood.