that supposing there were any troubles in France
it could possibly make any difference to me; even if there were a
civil war, such as we had in England, they would not interfere with
boys."

"No, I don't see that it would make any difference, and the chance
is so remote that it need not influence our decision. Of course if
war broke out between the two countries the marquis would see that
you were sent back safely. Well, then, Harry, I am to consider that
your decision is in favour of your accepting this appointment."

"If you please, sir. I am sure it will be a capital thing for me,
and I have no doubt it will be great fun. Of course at first it
will be strange to hear them all jabbering in French, but I suppose
I shall soon pick it up."

And so Mrs. Sandwith was informed by her husband that after talking
it over with Harry he had concluded that the proposed arrangement
would really be an excellent one, and that it would be a great pity
to let such an opportunity slip.

The good lady was for a time tearful in her forebodings that Harry
would be starved, for in those days it was a matter of national
opinion that our neighbours across the Channel fed on the most meagre
of diet; but she was not in the habit of disputing her husband's
will, and when the letter of acceptance had been sent off, she
busied herself in preparing Harry's clothes for his long absence.

"He ought to be measured for several suits, my dear," she said to
her husband, "made bigger and bigger to allow for his growing."

"Nonsense, my dear! You do not suppose that clothes cannot be
purchased in France! Give him plenty of under-linen, but the fewer
jackets and trousers he takes over the better; it will be much
better for him to get clothes out there of the same fashion as
other people; the boy will not want to be stared at wherever he
goes. The best rule is always to dress like people around you. I
shall give him money, and directly he gets there he can get a suit
or two made by the tailor who makes for the lads he is going to be
with. The English are no more loved in France than the French are
here, and though Harry has no reason to be ashamed of his nationality
there is no occasion for him to draw the attention of everyone
he meets to it by going about in a dress which would seem to them
peculiar."

In due time a letter was received from Count Auguste de St. Caux,
stating that the marquis had requested him to write and say that
he was much g