And this was the end of his California speculation.




THE FRENCH GUARDSMAN.


With the army of Marshal Saxe, encamped near Fontenoy ready to give
battle to the allies, there were not a few ladies, who, impelled by a
chivalric feeling, or personally interested in the fate of some of the
combatants, had followed the troops to witness the triumph of the
French arms. Their presence was at once the incitement and reward of
valor, for what soldier would not fight with tenfold gallantry when he
knew that his exploits were witnessed by the eyes of her he loved as
wife, mistress, or mother, and whose safety or honor, perhaps,
depended on his prowess?

Among those most distinguished for their beauty was the youthful
Heloise, the lovely daughter of the Baron de Clairville, a French
general officer. The _beaux yeux_ of the demoiselle had enslaved more
than one young officer, but of the host of suitors none could boast
with reason of encouragement, except Henri de Grandville, and Raoul,
Count de St. Prix, both commanding companies in the French Guards.
Both were handsome and accomplished young men, and both had yet their
spurs to win upon the field of battle. They had been fast friends
until the pursuit of the same lady had created a sort of estrangement
between them. Little was known of Henri de Grandville previous to his
reception of his commission in the guards. He had been brought up by
his mother in an old provincial chateau, and though his manners and