"These are my brothers. Do not take them from me?"
"No, no, dear child," replied the Countess, as she took a hand of each. "They shall stay with you, and you will not leave your adopted child?" she added, turning to Gaspard and Katherine.
The Count and Countess de Sternfelden had thus restored to them their lost and only child, the only heir of their noble house, for whom they had so deeply mourned. Our good soldier and his family were as unexpectedly rescued from want and misery, and assured of kindness and protection for the rest of their lives. One more cause of rejoicing was in store for Gaspard. As our happy party were about to leave the church, the Countess's brother advanced towards him.
"Gaspard," said he, as he held out his hand to him, "my old and brave comrade in arms, do you not know me?"
Gaspard at once recognised the young Baron Otto de Helfenstein. "My captain, my noble captain!" he said, "I never thought to see you again; we could never hear anything of you, and feared you were either killed or taken prisoner."
"I was taken prisoner by the French," returned the Baron; "and, when I got my exchange, I joined our army in Spain, and went with it afterwards to Italy. I only returned to my own country two days ago, when I saw my sister for the first time since her loss. I little imagined that the child you so bravely rescued was hers."
The Count interrupted further explanations by proposing that all should go to the castle, where they could, at leisure, hear and relate all that would be deeply interesting to the whole party.
The news had spread rapidly through the village, the inhabitants of which hastened to meet the little procession, and to testify their joy at the happy event. The Count was universally beloved by his dependents, and now received heartfelt congratulations from all on the recovery of his lost child.
On reaching the castle, he gave orders for a day of general rejoicing, in which all classes should join, promising, at the same time, that every year the anniversary of the day on which his son was restored to him should be kept as a holiday amongst his people.
The remainder of the day on which the little Francis was restored to his parents was spent in relating the various events which had led to his loss and recovery.