“How provoking, my sweet niece,” said he, taking Kate's hand between both his, “now to part, just as I was learning the happiness of knowing you. Here are all these gentlemen grumbling and complaining about leaving their homes and families, and yet I 'll wager there is not one amongst them carries away a heavier heart than I do. Come into this room, my dear; let us have five minutes together.” And Kate took his arm, while he led her forward. Madame de Heidendorf, meanwhile, seated herself on a sofa, and summoned the most distinguished officers of the party to inform her as to all that was going forward. It was one of her favorite affectations to be deeply versed in military tactics; not that she acknowledged herself deficient in any art or science, but soldiering was her strong point. She therefore questioned and cross-questioned these unhappy gentlemen at great length. “You have no mortars? Do I hear you aright. Colonel Rabowsky? No mortars?” “None, Madame.” “And how, may I ask, do you mean to reduce Milan to ashes?” This was a very puzzling question; and she repeated it in a still more commanding tone. “Perhaps that may not be deemed desirable, Madame,” modestly insinuated another officer. “Not desirable, sir? you said not desirable. Why, really I shall begin to fancy I ought to go to school again in military matters. Are you aware, sir, it's the very centre of these wretches; that it is fed from Switzerland and Piedmont with all that is infamous in political doctrine? Milan must be bombarded, sir!” [Illustration: 166] The Colonel bowed courteously to an opinion expressed with so much authority. “You 'll find, at least, that the Field-Marshal will be of my opinion,” continued she. “As a military position, it is worth nothing.” “But as a capital city, Madame?” mildly interposed the Colonel. “The old story,” said she, contemptuously. “Women and children!” “Most legitimate objects of protection, I trust, Madame.” But she turned contemptuously away, as if controversy with such an adversary was beneath her. “We have three rocket-batteries, Madame,” interposed a staff officer, desirous of offering himself to her notice. “I hope you will use them with effect, sir. I envy you the pleasure of seeing them plunging amidst that vile mob it is the fashion to call the people nowadays.” “I hope we shall do our duty, Madame,” said an old, stern-looking major, who felt little flattered at this interference. “I should like to see more chivalry,----more ardent devotion in the defenders of a monarchy,” said the Countess. “I can understand coldness in the lower classes, but that the well-born and the noble should be apathetic and slow to move is beyond my comprehension.” “Bey'm Blitzen,” retorted the Major, “that is not bad I Here we are going to shed our blood for the Kaiser, and we are told that it is not enough, without we are born counts and barons.”