“Yes, and a very brave captain too.” This was not the remark of the captain himself, but of his sergeant.

“Now Sulpice, sit down there. Good: now the captain will sit on one side of you and I will sit on the other. There. And now I must begin. Sergeant Sulpice, you must help us!”

“Help whom, Vivandiere?”

“Marie, and Marie’s captain.”

“How?”

“Speak to the marquise.”

“I’d rather storm a fort.”

“Sergeant Sulpice, you must help us. I say it—you must speak of our troth.”

“Yes—and we did pledge our troth, Marie—did we not?”

“Surely; but I am speaking to the sergeant. You see, sergeant, the poor captain is deeply in love with me; and—yes—I think I am deeply in love with the captain. Well, sergeant, you must help us?”