ent. As we
went along I questioned his comrade closely on the point; and he told
me that Pioche had resolved never to survive the battle, and had taken
leave of his friends the evening before.

"Ah, _parbleu!_" added he, with energy, "mademoiselle is pretty
enough,--there 's no denying that; but her head is turned by flattery
and soft speeches. All the gay young fellows of the hussar regiment,
the aides-de-camp,--ay, and some of the generals, too,--have paid her
so much attention that it could not be expected she'd care for a poor
corporal. Not but that Pioche is a brave fellow and a fine soldier.
_Sapristi!_ he 'd be no discredit to any girl's choice. But Minette--"

"Minette, the vivandiere?"

"Ay, to be sure, mon lieutenant; I'd warrant you must have known her."

"What of her? where is she?" said I, burning with impatience.

"She's with the wounded, up at Reygern yonder. They sent for her to
Heilbrunn yesterday, where she was with the reserve battalions. _Ma
foi!_ you don't think our fellows would do without Minette at the
ambulance, where there was a battle to be fought. They say they'd hard
work enough to make her come up. After all, she's a strange girl; that
she is."

"How was that? Has she taken offence with the Fourth?"

"No, that is not it; she likes the old regiment in her heart. I'd never
believe she didn't; but" (here he dropped his voice to a low whisper,
as if dreading to be overheard by the wounded man), "but they say--who
knows if it's true?--that when she was left behind at Ulm or Elchingen,
or somewhere up there on the Danube, that there was a young fellow--I
heard his name, too, but I forget it--who was brought in badly wounded,
and that mademoiselle was left to watch and nurse him. He got well in
time, for the thing was not so serious as they thought. And what do you
think was the return he made the poor girl? He seduced her!"

"It's false! false as hell!" cried I, bursting with passion. "Who has
dared to spread such a calumny?"

"Don't be angry, mon lieutenant; there are plenty to answer for the
report. And if it was yourself--"

"Yes; it was by _my_ bedside she watched; it was to _me_ she gave that
care and kindness by which I recovered from a dangerous wound. But so
far from this base requital--"

"Why did she leave you, then, and march night and day with the chasseur
brigade into the Tyrol? Why did she tell her friends that she'd never
see the old Fourth again? Why did she fret hers