"This is not to be borne!" he cried. "Here, Galipaud, Block;" and when
his two trusty assistants came rushing in, he pointed furiously to the
General. "Seize him, remove him by force if necessary. He shall go to
the _violon_--to the nearest lock-up."

The noise attracted also the Judge and the Commissary, and there were
now six officials in all, including the guard, all surrounding the
General, a sufficiently imposing force to overawe even the most
recalcitrant fire-eater.

But now the General seemed to see only the comic side of the situation,
and he burst out laughing.

"What, all of you? How many more? Why not bring up cavalry and
artillery, horse, foot, and guns?" he asked, derisively. "All to prevent
one old man from offering his services to one weak woman! Gentlemen, my
regards!"

"Really, Charles, I fear you are going too far," said his brother the
clergyman, who, however, had been manifestly enjoying the whole scene.

"Indeed, yes. It is not necessary, I assure you," added the Countess,
with tears of gratitude in her big brown eyes. "I am most touched, most
thankful. You are a true soldier, a true English gentleman, and I shall
never forget your kindness." Then she put her hand in his with a pretty,
winning gesture that was reward enough for any man.

Meanwhile, the Judge, the senior official present, had learned exactly
what had happened, and he now addressed the General with a calm but
stern rebuke.