dogs, I have a whole pack,
twenty-five beasts, all as black as moles with white paws, fire in their
eyes and hearts, and a regiment of cornet-tails that would do you good
to see."

And Roland sounded another halloo that brought his young brother to the
scene.

"Oh!" shouted the boy as he entered, "you are going hunting to-morrow,
brother Roland. I'm going, too, I'm going, too!"

"Good!" said Roland, "but do you know what we are going to hunt?"

"No. All I know is that I'm going, too."

"We're going to hunt a boar."

"Oh, joy!" cried the boy, clapping his little hands.

"Are you crazy?" asked Madame de Montrevel, turning pale.

"Why so, madame mother, if you please?"

"Because boar hunts are very dangerous."

"Not so dangerous as hunting men. My brother got back safe from that,
and so will I from the other."

"Roland," cried Madame de Montrevel, while Amelie, lost in thought, took
no part in the discussion, "Roland, make Edouard listen to reason. Tell
him that he hasn't got common-sense."

But Roland, who recognized himself again in his young brother, instead
of blaming him, smiled at his boyish ardor. "I'd take you willingly,"
said he, "only to go hunting one must at least know how to handle a
gun."

"Oh, Master Roland," cried Edouard, "just come into the garden a bit.
Put up your hat at a hundred yards, and I'll show you how to handle a
gun."

"Naughty child," exclaimed Madame de Montrevel, trembling, "where did
you learn?"

"Why, from the gunsmith at Montagnac, who keeps papa's and Roland's
guns. You ask me sometimes what I do with my money, don't you? Well, I
buy powder and balls with it, and I am learning to kill Austrians and
Arabs like my brother Roland."

Madame de Montrevel raised her hands to heaven.

"What can you expect, mother?" asked Roland. "Blood will tell. No
Montrevel could be afraid of powder. You shall come with us to-morrow,
Edouard."

The boy sprang upon his brother's neck.

"And I," said Sir John, "will equip you to-day like a regular huntsman,
just as they used to arm the knights of old. I have a charming little
rifle that I will give you. It will keep you contented until your sabre
and pistols come."

"Well," asked Roland, "are you satisfied now, Edouard?"

"Yes; but when will he give it to me? If you have to write to England
for it, I warn you I shan't believe in it."

"No, my little friend, we have only to go up to my room and open my
gun-case. That's soon done."