deem
this conquest of mine a very wonderful thing?"

"You mistake me," said I, eagerly,--"you mistake me much. My surprise
was rather that one like Pioche, good-hearted, simple fellow as he is,
should possess the refinement of feeling--"

[Illustration: Minnet_and_Pioche]

"A clever flank movement of yours. Lieutenant," interposed she, with a
pleasant laugh; "and I'll not attack you again. And, after all, I am a
little proud of my conquest."

"The confession is a flattering one, from one who doubtless has had a
great many to boast of."

"A great many, indeed!" replied she, naively; "so many, that I can't
reckon them,--not to boast of, however, as you term it. _Par bleu!_ some
of them had little of that--But here comes the doctor, and I must not
let him see us talking. _Ma foi_, they little think when their backs are
turned how seldom we mind their directions!"

The surgeon's visit was a matter of a few seconds; he contented himself
with feeling my pulse and reiterating his advice as to quiet.

"You have got the best nurse in the army. Monsieur," said he, as he
took his leave. "I have only one caution to give you,--take care if an
affection of the heart be not a worse affair than a thrust of a small
sword. I have known such a termination of an illness before now."

Mademoiselle made no reply save an arch look of half anger, and left the
room; and I, wearied and exhausted, sank into a heavy slumber.

CHAPTER XLV. THE "VIVANDIERE OF THE FOURTH"

Von three entire weeks my wound confined me to the limits of mY chamber;
and Yet, were it not for my impatience to be up and stirring, mY life
was not devoid of happiness.

Every movement of the army, in its most minute detail, was daily
reported to me by Mademoiselle Minette. The bulletins of the Emperor,
the promotions, the _on dits_ of the bivouac and the march, brought
by the various battalions, as they moved on towards the east, were all
related by her with such knowledge of military phrase and soldiers'
style as to amuse me, equally by her manner as by what she told.

The cuirassiers marched soon after I received my wound, and though
attached to the corps, she remained behind at Elchingen, having pledged
herself, as she said, to the general, to restore me safe and sound
before she left me. The little window beside my bed offered a
widely-extended view over the great plain beneath; and there I have sat
the entire day, watching the columns of cavalry and inf