"Since then, Mademoiselle de Rochefort has told me in full the story of her escape from Tours, recounting your part in it, and dwelling most flatteringly upon your bravery and discretion."
Tournay bowed again in acknowledgment.
"The service you have rendered the daughter of my old friend, by effecting her rescue and bringing her here in spite of such great obstacles, makes my obligation to you deep, very deep. My honor and my inclinations are one, when they move me to accord you, not only your freedom, but to offer you a commission in my son's regiment, the Tenth Prussian heavy artillery."
If the general had ordered him out to instant execution or conferred upon him in marriage the hand of his daughter Gretchen, Tournay could not have felt more surprise. For a few moments he could find no words in which to answer, and the general turned to the papers he had just laid down.
"Is my entry into your service made a condition of my freedom?" he finally found breath to inquire.
The Prussian general looked up from the map he had been studying, pressing his fat finger upon it to mark the place.
"Certainly not," he replied, "I make no conditions in paying a debt."
"Then I will take my liberty, which you have promised to restore to me," answered Tournay, "and return to France."
It was now the general's turn to be surprised.
"You mean to say that you will go back to Paris?"