infinite delight of little Harry, the youngest
of the juveniles, and to the infinite disgust of
Nurse, the four soldiers were introduced into
the kitchen.

"But," I said to my friend, "you do not
mean to hesitate about sending these men to
an inn? They surely would be a great
nuisance in the house."

"I am not so sure of that; and I am quite
sure it would cost me less to supply them
here than to pay for their living elsewhere.
They are very well conducted fellows, the
French soldiers."

Chorus of juveniles: "Oh! yes, papa!
do keep them here."

"Well, sir, I suppose you know best," said
Nurse; "but I do say I never heard the
like of it in all my days. Four dirty soldiers
walking in and sitting down in any gentleman's
house, as if the place was their own!
And where am I to put them, sir? There is
but one spare room."

"Oh, don't trouble yourself about that!
They will not require separate apartments.
Get them some mattrasses and blankets in
the loft, or some straw," her master replied,
laughing. "But wait a moment, I must
speak to them again."

In short, despite Nurse's objections, the
men were settled in their quarters, expressed
themselves charmed with the cockloft,
delighted with the wine, and penetrated with
the hospitality of Monsieur.

I must confess that I was much disposed
to share Nurse's objections, and inquired,
with some anxiety, how long the visitation
was to last.

"That is hard to tell," our hostess said,
"four or five days, or perhaps a week,—until
the regiment they come to replace in the
camp here has moved off."

The rest of the day was tranquil. We
sometimes encountered Nurse looking severe
and much enduring. The subdued accent in
which the children all addressed her, showed
that when she was in that frame she gave
others something to endure. The other
members of the household were, however, by
no means depressed. Indeed, we never heard
merrier laughter from the kitchen.

The men were absent for a couple of hours
towards evening, and retired to the loft early.
We heard nothing of them.

This tranquillity, however, was not to
continue; for we were aroused at some small
hour in the morning by the bugle-call;
then by the tramp of heavy shoes which
came down-stairs with men in them, then
by the sound of bolts and bars withdrawn,
and then again all silent.

When we were going to our own breakfast,
our military guests—returned long since
from muster or parade—had finished theirs,
and were busy cleaning their arms and
accoutrements in the courtyard. The young
corporal was seated by the fountain,
apparently drawing pictures for little Harry's
amusement, as that young gentleman fondled
against his knee, in evident delight.

"You have great skill," I said to the
draughtsman, who had just finished a clever
sketch of one of his comrades who stood
opposite, tracing him with chalk, on paper
filched by Master Harry from his sister's
drawing-book.

"Sir, I have had practice, and it is an art
I love," the young soldier replied, rising to
salute me. "It is very useful to a soldier."

"A man of your acquirements ought not
to be in the ranks."

An expressive shrug. "The corporal's
stripes will not tarnish my epaulette whenever
I get one," he said, smiling and slightly
colouring. "And now, my young gentleman,
stand still while I draw your picture."

I looked at the draughtsman more
attentively. He was tall, slight, and, in spite of
the coarse, dull uniform, graceful. He had
large full dark eyes, softer than the French
eyes usually are; a clear brown complexion,
through which the full colour of youth
showed readily on any slight emotion. He
had also a delicate mouth, which his short,
dark moustache was not yet large enough to
hide. All indicated higher race than was
suggested by the hard features and ruder
gestures of his comrades. The hand, too,
that used the pencil, though somewhat
embrowned, was fine in form and texture, and
upon the little finger was a signet-ring.

I was summoned from this little colloquy
to breakfast, and, when I returned, the
corporal was nowhere to be seen. One soldier
was sweeping the court, another had just
come in with two heavily-filled pails of water
from the public fountain (Madeleine's usual
task), while the third was putting up a
swing for the children in the coach-house.

Nurse observed these things with a
doubtful air. Her suspicions were inclined
to doze; but obstinacy kept them wakeful.
The men evidently were treating her with
a profound respect, as if aware that they had
not found favour in her eyes.

"They are not so bad after all, Nurse,"
said her mistress, who was looking on
complacently at the delight of her children with
their new playfellows.

"There's no denying, ma'am, they have
behaved respectably so far. All I say is, I
hope it may last, I hope it may last." And,
with an ominous shake of the head, Nurse
disappeared.

"Hélas!" exclaimed the soldier, who had
just set down the pails, "Madame is not
content. How have we had the misfortune to
displease her?"

Evening had set in, and we were assembled
in the drawing-room, when Nurse entered
with a tragic though triumphant air.

"I beg to say, sir, that if you don't put a
stop to the goings-on in the kitchen at this
moment, I'll—" (a tremendous pause) "I'll
not answer for the consequences."