“It was a base calumny upon a faithful people and a brave soldiery,” said the other. “I will not say that such a falsehood may not have blinded their eyes against their truth in their national struggle,--the love of country might easily have been used to a base and treacherous purpose,--but here, in this conflict, not a man will desert the cause of the Emperor!” The emotion in which he spoke these words was such that he was obliged to turn away his face to conceal it. “Your words have found an illustration amongst the number of our wounded prisoners, General,” said the other--“a young fellow who, it was said, broke his arrest to join the struggle at Goito, but whose name or rank we never could find out, for, before being taken, he had torn every mark of his grade from cuff and collar!” “You know his regiment, perhaps?” “It is said to be Prince Paul of Würtemberg's.” “What is he like,--what may be his age?” asked the General, hastily. “To pronounce from appearance, he is a mere boy,--brown-haired and blue-eyed, and wears no moustache.” “Where is he, sir?” asked the old man, with a suppressed emotion. “In this very village. He was forwarded here last night by a special order of the Duke of Savoy, who has taken a deep interest in his fate, and requested that I should take measures, while restoring him, without exchange, to mention the signal bravery of his conduct.” “The Duke's conduct is worthy of a soldier Prince!” said the General, with feeling, “and, in my master's name, I beg to thank him.” “The youth is at the temporary hospital, but knows nothing of these arrangements for his release. Perhaps the tidings will come more gratefully to his ears from his own countryman.” “It is kindly spoken, sir. May I have the honor of knowing the name of one who has made this interview so agreeable by his courtesy?” “My name at this side of the Alps, General, is Count de Valetta; but I have another and better known designation, before I pronounce which, I would gladly enlist in my favor whatever I might of yonr good opinion.” “All this sounds like a riddle to me, Signor Conte,” said the General, “and I am but a plain man, little skilled at unravelling a difficulty.” “I am addressing the General Count von Auersberg,” said the other. “Well, sir, it was hearing that you were the officer selected for this duty that induced me to ask I might be appointed also. I have been most anxious to meet you, and, in the accidents of a state of war, knew not how to compass my object.” The old General bowed politely, and waited, with all patience, for further enlightenment. “My desire for this meeting. General, proceeds from my wish to exculpate myself from what may seem to have been an unqualified wrong done to a member of your family. I am Prince Alexis Midchekoff.” Auersberg started from his chair at the words, and bent a look of angry indignation at the speaker,--an expression which the Russian bore with the very calmest unconcern.