asked Sir John; "and what are you doing here?"

"My little Edouard," said Sir John, "I am your brother's friend, and I
have brought you the silver-mounted pistols and the Damascus blade which
he promised you."

"Where are they?" asked the child.

"Ah!" said Sir John, "they are in England, and it will take some time to
send for them. But your big brother will answer for me that I am a man
of my word."

"Yes, Edouard, yes," said Roland. "If Sir John promises them to you,
you will get them." Then turning to Madame de Montrevel and his sister,
"Excuse me, my mother; excuse me, Amelie; or rather, excuse yourselves
as best you can to Sir John, for you have made me abominably
ungrateful." Then grasping Sir John's hand, he continued: "Mother, Sir
John took occasion the first time he saw me to render me an inestimable
service. I know that you never forget such things. I trust, therefore,
that you will always remember that Sir John is one of our best friends;
and he will give you the proof of it by saying with me that he has
consented to be bored for a couple of weeks with us."

"Madame," said Sir John, "permit me, on the contrary, not to repeat my
friend Roland's words. I could wish to spend, not a fortnight, nor three
weeks, but a whole lifetime with you."

Madame de Montrevel came down the steps of the portico and offered her
hand to Sir John, who kissed it with a gallantry altogether French.

"My lord," said she, "this house is yours. The day you entered it has
been one of joy, the day you leave will be one of regret and sadness."

Sir John turned toward Amelie, who, confused by the disorder of her
dress before this stranger, was gathering the folds of her wrapper about
her neck.

"I speak to you in my name and in my daughter's, who is still too much
overcome by her brother's unexpected return to greet you herself as she
will do in a moment," continued Madame de Montrevel, coming to Amelie's
relief.

"My sister," said Roland, "will permit my friend Sir John to kiss her
hand, and he will, I am sure, accept that form of welcome."

Amelie stammered a few words, slowly lifted her arm, and held out her
hand to Sir John with a smile that was almost painful.

The Englishman took it, but, feeling how icy and trembling it was,
instead of carrying it to his lips he said: "Roland, your sister is
seriously indisposed. Let us think only of her health this evening. I am
something of a doctor, and if she will deign to permit m