However, General Gassion and the prince were both good enough to consider that the service was a vital one, and as soon as the battle was over the prince gave me my promotion." "And it was well earned, lad, well earned.

And now about that affair at Turin." "It could not have been better done, Hector," the old soldier said in high delight when the story was told.

"I used to think that you spent more time than was necessary in reading over accounts of battles and sieges, but I see that the time was well spent.

You may be sure that I will be with you at seven tomorrow morning," he added as Hector rose to leave, "though I expect I shall have a heavy night of it here, for there will scarcely be a man in the regiment who won't come round and stay to hear the news.

I warrant that by this evening there will not be a sou remaining out of the money you have left for them." Hector arrived at the hotel just in time for the midday meal, and was pleased to find that Conde himself was not present.