He did not mention it, and it was not for the likes of me to ask him." "Ridiculous, Mike! In future, when anyone comes and wishes to see me, you will say, 'What name shall I tell Mr.Kennedy ?'" He put on his uniform coat reluctantly, for he was engaged in an interesting bout with a professor, who was an old friend of the maitre d'armes.

As he entered his room, a young man, who had been staring out of the window, and drumming impatiently with his fingers, turned.

He was a stranger to Desmond.
"I am Desmond Kennedy, sir," the young officer said.

"To what do I owe the honour of this visit ?" The other did not reply, but stood looking at him, in so strange and earnest a way, that Desmond felt almost uneasy.
"Sir," his visitor said at last, advancing to him and holding out both hands, "when I tell you that my name is Philip de la Vallee, you will understand what must strike you as my singular behaviour.
I arrived last night at Versailles, and heard all that had happened.

You can imagine, therefore, that my heart is almost too full for words, with gratitude and thankfulness." Desmond was moved by the emotion of his visitor, and their hands met in a hearty clasp.