terrace under the castle walls. A servant in livery came to meet
us at the door, and went to call his master. Presently a tall,
handsome man, with black eyes and iron-gray hair and mustache, came
down a path, clapping his hands.

"Welcome, gentlemen! It is the Captain Bell?" said he, with a
marked accent, as he came to me, his hand extended. "You come from
Monsieur the General Brown, do you not?"

"I do," said I, handing him my message.

He broke the seal and read it carefully.

"I am glad to see you--ver' glad to see you!" said he, laying his
hands upon my shoulders and giving me a little shake.

Two servants went away with D'ri and Seth and the horses.

"Come, captain," said my host, as he led the way. "You are in good
time for dinner."

We entered a great triangular hall, lighted by wide windows above
the door, and candelabra of shining brass that hung from its high
ceiling. There were sliding doors of polished wood on each side of
it. A great stairway filled the point of the triangle. I was
shown to my room, which was as big as a ball-room, it seemed to me,
and grandly furnished; no castle of my dreams had been quite so
fine. The valet of the count looked after me, with offers of new
linen and more things than I could see use for. He could not speak
English, I remember, and I addressed him in the good French my