"Yes," said she, smiling, "afraid he wouldn't. They were a
good-looking lot."

"I do not think he was speaking of you at all," said the baroness.
"He was looking at me when--"

"Ciel!" exclaimed Louison, laughing. "That is why they turned
suddenly and fled into the fields."

I fled, too,--perhaps as suddenly as the Britishers,--to save
myself the disgrace of laughter.

The great clock in the hall above-stairs tolled the hour of two.
The ladies had all gone to bed save the baroness. The butler had
started upstairs, a candelabrum in his hand. Following him were
the count and Mr. Parish, supporting the general between them. The
able soldier had overrated his capacity. All had risen to go to
their rooms. Of a sudden we were startled by a loud rap on the
front door. A servant opened it, and immediately I heard the
familiar voice of D'ri.

"Is they anybody here by the name o' Mister Bell?" he asked.

I ran to the door, and there stood D'ri, his clothes wet, his boots
muddy, for it had been raining. Before he could speak I had my
arms around him, and he sank to his knees in my embrace. He was
breathing heavily.

"Tired out--thet's whut's the matter," he muttered, leaning over on
one hand. "Come through the woods t' save yer life, I did, an'