The gate was flung open wide, but even yet Madelon’s caution did not desert her, for she placed a sentinel on guard, and then alone, as she had gone before, she marched down to the landing-place to meet the soldiers. When she came face to face with Lieutenant La Monnerie, she saluted, and—
“Monsieur,” said she, “I surrender my arms to you.”
Being a gallant Frenchman, and as yet hardly understanding the situation, knowing that there were soldiers within the fort, he answered,—
“I HAVE COMMANDED THIS FORT, MONSIEUR, DURING THE ABSENCE OF MY FATHER.”—Page [125].
“Mademoiselle, they are in good hands”; but he smiled as he said it, looking on the girlish form before him, with its soldier cap and heavy gun. Madelon saw the smile, and who can blame her that she answered,—
“In better hands than you think. Will Monsieur come and inspect the fort?”
The Lieutenant and his forty men followed her up to the fort, found everything in order, and a sentinel on each bastion. He turned with a look of surprise to Madelon, and asked,—
“Why does not the commandant of this fort come to receive me?”
“I have commanded this fort, Monsieur, during the absence of my father, since there was none other either willing or able to do it. Will Monsieur give me his orders?”