ar."

Perhaps the mention of the word Chateau--the claim of one whose rank was
even thus vaguely hinted at--had nearly an equal influence on the Pere
with the duties of humanity. Certain is it he laid less stress than
he might have done on the writ of exemption, and blandly said that the
out-offices of the Chateau should be at their disposal for the night;
apologising if late events had not left its inhabitants in better
circumstances to succour the unfortunate.

"We ask very little, Pere," said the sergeant, respectfully--"some
straw to sleep on, some rye-bread and a little water for supper; and
to-morrow, ere sunrise, you shall see the last of us."

The humility of the request, rendered even more humble by the manner in
which it was conveyed, did not fail to strike the Pere Duclos, who
began to wonder what reverses had overtaken the "Blues" (the name
the Republicans were called), that they were become thus civil and
respectful; nor could he be brought to believe the account the sergeant
gave of a glorious victory at the Ada, nor credit a syllable of the
bulletin which, in letters half-a-foot long, proclaimed the splendid
achievement.

A little pavilion in the garden was devoted to the reception of the
wounded lieutenant, and the soldiers bivouacked in the farm-buildings,
and some even in the open air, for it was the vintage-time, and
the weather delightful. There was nothing of outrage or disturbance
committed by the men; not even any unusual noise disturbed the peaceful
quiet of the old Chateau; and, except that a lamp burned all night in
the garden-pavilion, nothing denoted the presence of strangers.

Before day broke the men were mustered in the court of the Chateau; and
the sergeant, having seen that his party were all regularly equipped for
the march, demanded to speak a few words to the Pere Duclos. The Pere,
who was from his window watching these signs of approaching departure
with some anxiety, hastily descended on hearing the request.

"We are about to march, reverend father," said the sergeant, saluting,
"all of us, save one--our poor lieutenant; his next billet will be for
another, and, we hope, a better place."

"Is he dead?" asked the Pere, eagerly.

"Not yet, father; but the event cannot now be far off. He raved all
through the night, and this morning the fever has left him, but without
strength, and evidently going fast. To take him along with us would be
inhuman, were it even possible--to dela