Still, one likes to have a grumble sometimes at any rate." "Well, Home," the colonel said, "Hector Campbell is a proof that even in France merit will make its way.

That Turenne should have taken a fancy to him in the first place was fortunate.

But Turenne would surely not have promoted him to be a captain within three or four months of his joining except for the marked bravery and diligence that he told us he displayed at Turin; and I have no doubt that when we hear the particulars we shall find that this promotion now has been equally well deserved, for certainly Enghien is not likely to have gone out of his way to promote one altogether a stranger to him when he had so many young nobles round him, personal friends of his own, belonging to families whom he would wish to oblige.

Of course you will, as one of the bearers of despatches, attend at the court this evening, Campbell ?" "Yes, the queen said that she would expect to see us." "Of course; and you will be envied by every young courtier there.

At the present moment Paris is half wild over the victory of Rocroi, and as you three will be the representatives of the army, specially selected for the share you had in the battle, you may be sure that you will be regarded with eyes of favour by every lady of the court." "Well, I should think it would be a great nuisance," Hector said gruffly.