"Indeed, that is what I have been doing my best to persuade her, but she is somewhat shy until a little matter of difference between us is settled." "What, Nairn! Is it possible you have already met the fair one strong in fight, of whom I prophesied?" "Yes, I suppose so," he said, with a happy laugh. "I may as well tell you. She is Mademoiselle de Sarennes. The only thing that troubles me is, that she wishes to leave the matter to chance." "I congratulate you on the lady, first of all, sir. And now, what are the chances?" He moved uneasily. "Just a woman's fancy, I suppose; but she wishes it to depend on the arrival of the ships." "What! Are those fateful ships to carry the decisions of Cupid as well as Mars? What part are they to play in your affairs?" "Part enough. If a French ship arrives first, she marries me; if an English, then I marry her." "Good heavens, Nairn! What an anxiety to have hanging over you! Have you provided against the possible appearance of a Spaniard?" "None of your nonsense, Chevalier!" he exclaimed, hotly. "This is no jesting matter for me. Cannot you take anything seriously? I conceive it to make all the difference in the world, whether the man take the woman, or the woman the man. I hate turning things upside-down, and, if I marry at all, I must do so in a decent, orderly way, like my fathers before me." "That is all very well, but shouldn't you allow the lady some choice, especially if you should turn out to be a prisoner, as will certainly be the case should a French ship appear first?" "But why not let me exercise the choice? I have my feelings as well as a woman," he returned, stubbornly. "That is conceivable, or you would never have advanced as far as your present difficulty. But I think this is a matter which can be arranged with a little diplomacy." "Then there's little hope for it if the diplomacy rests with me, for I've no more of it about me than a brass carronade." "Never mind. You can safely depend for that upon the lady. In the mean time, pray present her with my compliments and congratulations on so ingenious a shifting of responsibility, and remind her that I expect to pay her my respects on the morrow." But on the morrow I did not keep my appointment. About ten o'clock that morning, as I was with General Murray, chatting over the fire in his quarters in the rue St. Louis, we were interrupted by an aide, who entered in great excitement. "Your Excellency, a ship is in sight from the lookout!" "Good heavens, Kirkconnel! This decides it!" exclaimed the General, rising, and generously extending to me his hand. "God bless you, whichever it be!" he added, heartily, and we parted. In all haste I made my way to the Chateau and gained such point of vantage as was possible. I eagerly scanned every foot of the river, but there was nothing I could make out, though from the excitement of the little knot at the signalling-point above it was evident they could sight her.