She rather liked there guest, and was even beginning to fancy there was something aristocratic about him--only she thought him too frank and merry for a hero of romance.
"Lieutenant della Rebbia," said the colonel, bowing to him, English fashion, over a glass of Madeira, "I met a great many of your countrymen in Spain--they were splendid sharp-shooters." "Yes, and a great many of them have stayed in Spain," replied the young lieutenant gravely.
"I shall never forget the behaviour of a Corsican battalion at the Battle of Vittoria," said the colonel; "I have good reason to remember it, indeed," he added, rubbing his chest.

"All day long they had been skirmishing in the gardens, behind the hedges, and had killed I don't know how many of our horses and men.

When the retreat was sounded, they rallied and made off at a great pace.

We had hoped to take our revenge on them in the open plain, but the scoundrels--I beg your pardon, lieutenant; the brave fellows, I should have said--had formed a square, and there was no breaking it.

In the middle of the square--I fancy I can see him still--rode an officer on a little black horse.