“Would I be seeking her in the garden if she were?” laughed Victor. “No, my dear Lucie, she is neither within nor without the mansion of the Le Bruns so far as I can ascertain. I have brought something for her, but since she is not here, and Madame the grandmother objects to this gift, I must take it back or bestow it elsewhere.” “O, Victor, what is this gift to which Madame Le Brun objects?” “La la, I have aroused your curiosity, have I?” “Well, you see,” Lucie began bunching the flowers she held, “you see I am interested in a gift for Annette, who is my dearest friend.” “My cousin Annette is to be congratulated, mademoiselle,” returned Victor with a twinkle in his eye. “Very well, then, give me a rose and I will show you the gift, a fine rose, mind.” “Red or white?” “Neither; one of those delicate pink ones like your cheeks.” Lucie ignored the flattery, and held up a rose which Victor regarded critically. “Too full blown,” he declared. “It will fade before morning.” “I will gather one from the bush, one between a rose and a bud.” “As you yourself are.” Lucie made a little face at him. “How you are silly, Victor. You speak as if to a young lady.” “Well, you will be, give you time, and I may not be here then to make pretty speeches. I am but taking time by the forelock.” Lucie paid no attention to the cryptic speech but gave a serious regard to the rosebush from which she should select the proper flower, at last deciding upon one of just the exact maturity to suit the fastidious taste of Victor. He nodded approvingly as he took it and stuck it in his buttonhole. “I shall wear it as an amulet,” he told her. “Foolish boy,” replied Lucie disdainfully. “Perhaps you think I shall need nothing to protect me from danger. I assure you I shall. Perhaps your rose may ward off German bullets.” “Bullets?” “Why not? A soldier must consider bullets.” “A soldier?” Victor nodded. “It seems that you are not very original, mademoiselle. You do nothing but repeat my words like a parrot.” “But these surprises. You are too young. Surely, Victor, you are not thinking of going to the war.” “And why not? I shall become eighteen next month. I am but waiting that day. I have had considerable military training. _Aux armes, citoyens!_” He sang in a fine clear voice. “Shall I not fly to the aid of our beloved France as well as another? I am no coward, I tell you, Lucie Du Bois down there among your flowers.” “Of course not. No one would believe that, but you must admit that you are young.” “So much the better. I decided at once that I should lose no time, therefore I have been making ready. To-day I came to make my adieux to my cousins and my friends here. In passing I will say that I also had in mind the gift for my young cousin, that gift which her grandmother will not permit her to accept. Madame Le Brun declares it shall not have house-room nor even out-of-house-room.” “It must be a queer sort of gift.”