The first was given me, by the king, on my appointment as aide-de-camp to the Duke of Berwick; His Majesty being good enough to take an interest in me, owing to a little adventure in which I had become involved.

It concerned, I may say, the almost accidental rescue of a lady, who had been carried off by a nobleman of the court." "I remember now," the colonel said.

"The lady was Mademoiselle de Pointdexter, and her abductor Vicomte de Tulle.

It happened a month or so before our regiment left Paris for Spain, and was the chief topic of talk.

I recall your name, now, in connection with the affair, and how warmly everyone spoke of your gallantry.