ate of moderate dimensions--when
their lord is absent, and there is none to look after them save an
intendant, whose duty it is to collect as much rent as he is able. Such
is the position of my tenants. I am a soldier, and must perforce be
absent. What I need greatly is someone who will fill my place in this
respect. I have an old friend who is captain of the garrison, and sees
to all things in the household; I have an intendant, I believe a worthy
young man, who collects my rents and looks to the feeding and needs of
the servants and garrison; but I need someone who would interest herself
actively in the condition of my tenants, who would be a friend to them
in sickness, would give aid from my purse to those who really need it,
would send food to the starving, and aid my intendant by advising him
as to who are worthy of relief and who are suffering from their own
idleness or thriftlessness--who will, in short, act as I would have my
wife act had I one.

"Now, madame la baronne if you will honour me by making my home yours
so long as I am away at the wars, which may last, for aught I know, for
years yet, you will be conferring a great favour upon me. You will have
your own suite of apartments, where your meals will be served to you.
You will have horses to ride. You will relieve my intendant of the
necessity of seeing that the servants perform their duties, and give him
more time to devote himself to the business of the estate, and will in
fact act as chatelaine, save only in matters connected with the garrison
in the defence of the castle."

"Your offer is kind in the extreme, Colonel Campbell, but I could not
accept it," she said. "You are only inventing such an office in order to
give a home to me and Norah."

"I can assure you, madam, that the thought is not a new one to me--I
have often wished that there was a lady in the castle. One who would see
after the wives and families of the vassals; and I should feel myself
under a real obligation to you if you would fill the place. You
see, madam, it would cost me nothing, for food and drink there is in
abundance. I have two splendid horses, given me by the Duc d'Enghien,
standing idle in their stalls. I shall be happy in knowing that my
tenants would be well looked after, and shall be glad indeed that you
and your daughter, my countrywomen, should, for the present at any rate,
have a home."

The tears were streaming down the lady's face.

"Accept, mother," the girl