l sorts of matters; just as he does to Sir
John Mitchell, and my cousin, the Earl Marischal."

"I have no doubt of it, Drummond, and I quite understand your
feeling in the matter. Still, we are selfish enough to think of our
feelings, too."

As soon as the count left, Fergus put on his full uniform and went
to the king's quarters. He first saw the Earl Marischal, and told
him his errand.

"You are quite right," the old man said heartily. "You have done
more than enough fighting, and there is no saying how long this war
may drag on. I told you, when I first heard of your engagement to
the young countess, that I was glad indeed that you were not always
to remain a soldier of fortune; and I am sure that the king will
consider that you have more than done your duty, by remaining in
his service for a year, after having so splendid a prospect before
you. Frederick is disengaged at present, and I will go over with
you to him, and will myself open the matter."

Fergus had not seen the king since his arrival at Leipzig.

"I am truly glad to see you on your feet again," the latter said,
as Fergus followed his cousin into the room. "I felt by no means
sure that I should ever see you again, on that day after Torgau;
but you still look very thin and pulled down. You want rest, lad.
We all want rest, but it is not all of us that can get it."

"That is what he has come to speak to you about, your majesty,"
Keith said. "I told you, a year ago, that he was engaged to be
married to the daughter of Count Eulenfurst."

The king nodded.

"I remember her, the bright little lady who received me, when I
went to her father's house."

"The same, sire. He thinks that the warning he had at Torgau was
sufficient; and that, having done his best in your majesty's cause,
he has now earned a right to think of himself and her; and so he
would beg your majesty to allow him to resign his commission, and
to retire from the service."

"He has certainly well earned the right," the king said gravely.
"He has done me right good and loyal service, even putting aside
that business at Zorndorf; and not the least of those services has
been that he has often cheered me, by his talk, when I sorely
needed cheering. That empty sleeve of his, that scar won at
Zorndorf, are all proofs how well he has done his duty; and his
request, now that fortune has smiled upon him in other ways, is a
fair and reasonable one.

"I hope, Colonel Drummond," he went on in