"Yes, my girl, yes. I had all those, and I made a good use of what the Lord gave me. But to return to my story; you are right, Zerbinette, in regard to the little baroness, it was the French Guards she went so crazy about, so much so, in fact, that M. de Biron, their colonel, went to the king and complained that his regiment was being ruined. 'I can't have that,' replied the king, 'I want my French Guards for myself. Montbrison got money enough by his wife to buy a regiment for her if she wants it.'" "Unfortunately, M. de Montbrison was not a sufficiently gallant gentleman to do that. And speaking of handsome lackeys, madame must be thinking of Président de Lunel's wife, for--" "Lunel!" exclaimed the dowager, pausing and glancing around her. "Say, we are not far from Grand Sire's Rock, are we?" "No, madame." "I thought not. Do you remember that story of the osprey and poor Président de Lunel?" "I only remember that monsieur le président was as jealous as all possessed of the Chevalier de Bretteville, and he had good cause to be. So it used to afford madame no end of amusement to invite them both to the castle at the same time." "Yes, and that was what reminded me of that affair of the osprey." "I really have no idea what you mean." "Ah, Zerbinette, you are growing old." "Alas, yes, madame!" "Well, we might as well walk in one direction as another, so suppose we pay a visit to Grand Sire's Rock. The sight of the dear old rock will rejuvenate me. Let me see, Zerbinette," added the marquise, taking another pinch of snuff, "when was it that poor Lunel and the chevalier were--" "In October, 1779," responded Zerbinette, promptly. "Sixty-odd years ago. Come and let us go and take a look at the famous rock. It will make me feel young again." "Very well, madame, but won't you find the walk too fatiguing?" "I have the legs of fifteen this morning, girl, but if they should fail me, you have my chair, you know." CHAPTER XII. As the two octogenarians started slowly down the path leading to Grand Sire's Rock, Zerbinette remarked to her mistress: "You were going to tell the story of the osprey, madame."