“Perhaps. I believe so,” said the elder sister.

“Then we shan’t get the toys from Paris?” said the small girl.

“I am afraid not, coquine?

“What a pity!” said the boy.

Pierre Nesle took a step forward and saluted.

“I will go with you, if you permit it, mademoiselle. It is perhaps in a little way my duty, as I met your father in the war.”

“Thanks a thousand times,” said the girl. “Maman will be glad to know all you can tell her.”

She waved to Brand a merry au revoir.

We stood watching them cross the Grande Place, that tall girl and the two little ones, and Pierre.

Fortune touched Brand on the arm.