'But I would not willingly detain you any further with a story, the details of which it must naturally be more or less unpleasant for you to hear.

Suffice it that, by M.de Culemberg's own advice, I said farewell at eighteen to that kind preceptor and his books, and entered the service of France; and have since then carried arms in such a manner as not to disgrace my family.' 'You narrate well; _vous aves la voix chaude_,' said my uncle, turning on his pillows as if to study me.

'I have a very good account of you by Monsieur de Mauseant, whom you helped in Spain.

And you had some education from the Abbe de Culemberg, a man of a good house?
Yes, you will do very well.

You have a good manner and a handsome person, which hurts nothing.