Now, my dear boy, your position is changed.

You have become a French noble, and, however unwilling, may find yourself mixed up on one side or the other with the doings of your court.

Both these ladies have power, and it is well to keep in with them, for either of them might prove a valuable friend and protector, and the first rule here is make as many friends as possible, for no one can say when you may require them." Hector again followed the colonel to the group of ladies.
"Madame," Maclvor said, "I have the honour to present you--" "Why, have you not presented him to us already ?" Madame de Chevreuse said with a laugh.

"Your memory must be singularly short, colonel." "My memory is not short, madame, but it is a somewhat different personage that I have now to present to you.

Madame, I have the honour to present Colonel Campbell, Baron de la Villar." Both ladies uttered an exclamation of surprise.
"Why, what has he done, colonel ?" the duchess exclaimed.