"Pardon my using French," said the baroness, turning to me, "for I believe you do not use it, and, my friend, it is a misfortune, for you miss knowing what good company is the Ma'm'selle Le Ray." "And I miss much pleasure and mayhap a duel with the marquis," I said, laughing; "but I beg you to proceed with your talk. I have learned many words since I came here, and I love the sound of it." "We saw British soldiers to-day," she continued to Ma'm'selle Le Ray, in French. "They crossed the road near us on their horses." Louison came over and sat by them. "They were not in uniform," the baroness continued, "but I knew they were English; you cannot mistake them." "And what do you think ?" said Louison, eagerly. "One of them threatened to kiss me." "Indeed, that was terrible," said Ma'm'selle Le Ray. "You must have been afraid." "Yes," said she, smiling, "afraid he wouldn't. They were a good-looking lot." "I do not think he was speaking of you at all," said the baroness. "He was looking at me when--" "Ciel!" exclaimed Louison, laughing. "That is why they turned suddenly and fled into the fields." I fled, too,--perhaps as suddenly as the Britishers,--to save myself the disgrace of laughter. The great clock in the hall above-stairs tolled the hour of two. The ladies had all gone to bed save the baroness. The butler had started upstairs, a candelabrum in his hand. Following him were the count and Mr. Parish, supporting the general between them. The able soldier had overrated his capacity. All had risen to go to their rooms. Of a sudden we were startled by a loud rap on the front door. A servant opened it, and immediately I heard the familiar voice of D'ri. "Is they anybody here by the name o' Mister Bell?" he asked. I ran to the door, and there stood D'ri, his clothes wet, his boots muddy, for it had been raining. Before he could speak I had my arms around him, and he sank to his knees in my embrace. He was breathing heavily. "Tired out--thet's whut's the matter," he muttered, leaning over on one hand. "Come through the woods t' save yer life, I did, an' they was tight up t' me all the way." "Poor fellow!" said the baroness, who stood at the door. "Help him in at once and give him a sip of brandy." "Tuk me prisoner over there 'n the woods thet day," said he, sinking into a chair and leaning forward, his head on his hands. "They tuk 'n' they toted me over t' Canady, an' I tuk 'n' got away, 'n' they efter me. Killed one on 'em thet was chasin' uv me over 'n the Beaver medders on the bog trail. Hoss got t' wallerin' so he hed t' come down. Riz up out o' the grass 'n' ketched holt uv 'im 'fore he c'u'd pull a weepon. Tuk this out uv his pocket, an' I tried to git the boss out o' the mire, but didn't hev time." He sat erect and proudly handed me a sheet of paper. I opened it, and read as follows:-- "To CAPTAIN ELIAS WILKINS, _Royal Fusiliers_.