y,
but now----"

"Now it is impossible," assented Marteau, "since my Emperor and I are
both defeated."

"Monsieur," broke in the high, rather sharp voice of the old Marquis,
"that is a title which is no longer current in France. As loyal
subjects of, the King the word is banished--like the man."

"I am but new to France, Monsieur le Marquis, and have not yet learned
to avoid the ancient habit."

"And yet you are a Frenchman," commented the Marquis dryly. "You said
you came from Aumenier. I did not catch your name, sir?"

"Marteau, at your service."

"One of the loyal Marteaux?"

"The last one, sir."

"And pray why are you new to France?"

"I have but two months since been released from an Austrian prison and
an Austrian hospital."

"I made inquiry," said the Countess suddenly, the tones of her voice
bespeaking her deep agitation, "I caused the records to be searched.
They said you were dead, that you had been killed at the bridge of
Arcis with the rest of your regiment."

"I was unfortunate enough to survive my comrades as you see,
mademoiselle," said Marteau.

"And I thank God for that," said the Countess Laure. "I have never
forgot what you did for me, and----"

"Nor has the memory of your interposition which twice saved my life
escaped from my mind for a single instant, mademoiselle."

"Yes, it was very fine, no doubt, on the part of both of you," said
Captain Yeovil, a little impatiently, because he did not quite see the
cause of all this perturbation on the part of his betrothed; "but you
are quits now, and for my part----"

"What I did for mademoiselle is nothing, monsieur. I shall always be
in her debt," replied the Frenchman.

"Monsieur St. Laurent," said the Marquis, turning to the other occupant
of the room, "my new adjutant, Monsieur Marteau," he added in
explanation, "was there not a Marteau borne on the rolls of the
regiment? I think I saw the name when I looked yesterday, and it
attracted me because I knew it."

"Yes, your Excellency," said St. Laurent, "he was a Captain when he was
detached."

"You were on service elsewhere, _Monsieur mon Capitaine_?" asked the
Marquis.

"I was a Lieutenant-Colonel, your Excellency."

"And where and when?"

"On the day at Arcis. Made so by"--he threw up his head--"by him who
cannot be named."

"Ah! Quite so," said the Marquis, helping himself to a pinch of snuff
from a jeweled box, quite after the fashion of the old regime. He shut