d the gay colors
of mine at once showed that we were not brother and sister. To my
respectful salute on entering, few deigned to reply; my companion's
beauty had arrested every attention, and all eyes were turned towards
her as she took her place at table.

For the incident which succeeded, I must devote a short chapter.

CHAPTER XXIX. THE INN AT VALENCE

Preceded by the waiter, who was about to point out the places destined
for us at the table, I walked up the room, holding Margot by the
hand. The strangers made way for us as we went, not with any of the
deferential politeness so usual in France, but in a spirit of insolent
astonishment at our presence there. Such, at least, was the impression
their behavior produced on me; and I was only anxious that it should not
be so felt by my companion.

As I drew back my chair, to seat myself at her side, I felt a hand
placed on my arm. I turned, and saw an officer, a man of about six or
seven and twenty, with a bushy red beard and moustache, who said,--

"This place is mine, citizen; you must go seek for one elsewhere."

I appealed to the waiter, who merely shrugged his shoulders, and
muttered something unintelligible; to which I replied by asking him to
show me another place, while I assisted Margot to rise.

"La petite shall stay where she is," broke in the officer, bluntly, as
he brushed in front of me; and an approving laugh from his comrades at
once revealed to me the full meaning of the impertinence.

"This young lady is under my care, sir," said I, calmly, "and needs no
protection from you."

"The young lady," cried he, with a burst of coarse laughter at the
words, "knows better how to choose! Is it not so, citizen? I look a more
responsible guardian than that thin stripling with the pale cheek."

"I appeal to this company, to the superiors of this officer,--if there
be such present,--to know are these the habits of this place, or have I
been singled out specially for this insolence?"

"Insolence! insolence!" repeated every voice around me, in accents of
astonishment and reprobation; while suddenly above the clamor a deep
voice said,--

"Lieutenant Carrier, take a place at the foot of the table!"

"Oui, mon Colonel!" was the reply; and he who accosted me so rudely, now
moved away, and I seated myself at Margot's side.

I believe that during this brief scene the poor girl knew little or
nothing of what was going forward. The fatigue, from which she h