day in the turret, with a loaf of
bread and a jug of water, may put thee in better liking to stay at
home."

"Yes, Madame Marie," assented the dwarf, with smiles.

"And I may yet find it in my heart to have that swan's neck wrung."

"Shubenacadie's neck! Oh, Madame Marie, wring mine! It would be the
death of me if Shubenacadie died. Consider how long I have had him. And
his looks, my lady! He is such a pretty bird."

"We must mend that dangerous beauty of his. If these flights stop not, I
will have his wings clipped."

"His satin wings,--his glistening, polished wings," mourned Le
Rossignol, "tipped with angel-finger feathers! Oh, Madame Marie, my
heart's blood would run out of his quills!"

"It is a serious breach in the discipline of this fortress for even you
to disobey me constantly," said the lady, again severely, though she
knew her lecture was wasted on the human brownie.

Le Rossignol poked and worried the mandolin with antennae-like fingers,
and made up a contrite face.

The dimness of the hall had not covered Klussman's large pallor. The
emotions of the Swiss passed over the outside of his countenance, in
bulk like himself. His lady often compared him to a noble young bullock
or other well-conditioned animal. There was in Klussman much
wholesomeness and excuse for existence.

"Now, Klussman," said Marie, meeting her lieutenant with the intentness
of one used to sudden military emergencies. He trod straight to the
fireplace, and pointed at the strange girl, who hid her face.

"Madame, I have come in to speak of a thing you ought to know. Has that
woman told you her name?"

"No, she hath not. She hath kept a close tongue ever since we found her
at the outpost."

"She ever had a close tongue, madame, but she works her will in silence.
It hath been no good will to me, and it will be no good will to the Fort
of St. John."

"Who is she, Klussman?"

"I know not what name she bears now, but two years since she bore the
name of Marguerite Klussman."

"Surely she is not your sister?"

"No, madame. She is only my wife." He lifted his lip, and his blue eyes
stared at the muffled culprit.

"We knew not you had a wife when you entered our service, Klussman."

"Nor had I, madame. D'Aulnay de Charnisay had already taken her."

"Then this woman does come from D'Aulnay de Charnisay?"

"Yes, madame! And if you would have my advice, I say put her out of the
gate this instant, and let her find shelter wit