uly, Nairn, in discussing the probable
length of our resistance, said to me:

"Chevalier, What will you do when this is at an end?"

Although it was a question which had been perplexing me constantly,
I answered, carelessly enough, "If this bombardment keep up, the
chances are that I shall not be called upon to settle so important
a point."

"Chances enough," he responded, gravely; "it is never the number
of men who fall, but the number who escape, at which I am astonished.
But that is not the point. I have been thinking much, and am much
troubled about your future."

"So am I, for that matter, though I have never found that I have
advanced it a hair's-breadth by losing a night's sleep over it.
No, no, Captain Nairn, the best thing that can happen to me is to
do the grande culbute."

"Chevalier, I am not only under heavy personal obligation towards
you, but the memory of your friendship for me and mine ties me
closer to you than you know. I stand high in the esteem of my
general, who in turn can command attention to any request. You have
approved of my own conduct in accepting service; let me open the
way for you to the same honourable career. You have abundantly paid
your debt to France; give your arm to your own people. Surely there
come times when you dream of 'home.'"

"Captain Nairn," I answered, "believe me, I can pay you no higher
compliment than in saying I receive your words without offence. I
am sensible, deeply sensible of the kindness, may I say the affection,
which prompts your offer; but 'my people' are wanderers on the face
of the earth; my lot is that of the soldier of fortune. 'Home,'
Nairn! Though I have never set my foot on my own soil save as an
outlaw and a rebel, my heart at times grows faint for it, and the
turn of an old song sets my brain aching and my eyes longing, but
my only inheritance has been the loyalty which has robbed me of it
all. That I am on the losing side is my misfortune; that I have
inspired your respect and affection is my reward. I thank you from
the bottom of my heart, but do not mention the subject again if
you love me."

One personal gratification the siege brought to me was the renewal
of my intercourse with the fair Madame Prevost. Now that I had her
truculent husband under my thumb, for I held exposure over him like
the sword of Damocles, I was free to see as much of her as I chose.

People eat and sleep, breathe and hope, though danger may lie down
with them