t any
men?"

"We have only had thirteen killed outright," he said. "Twelve more are
very seriously wounded, but I think most of them will recover. As to
the rest of the company, I fancy that most of them will require some
bandaging. And now I shall recommend you and your daughter to return to
your shelter. I have no fear whatever of their coming back again."

"That we cannot do," she said firmly. "It is our duty to do what we can
to aid those who have fought so bravely."

"The men are now attending to each other's wounds," Hector said. "Every
man in my regiment carries, by my orders, a couple of bandages. We found
them most useful at Freiburg, and many a life was saved that would have
been lost but for their use; but if you insist upon doing anything, I
would ask you to carry wine and water round. The troopers will draw the
water for you from the well in the courtyard here."

"That we will do willingly," she said.

For the next two hours the ladies were busy at work, moving among the
men and supplying them with refreshments. Not until all their wants were
amply supplied did they retire.

In the morning Hector said: "Now, Madame de Blenfoix, I have been
thinking the matter over, and consider that it would be a wholly
unnecessary journey and a loss of four days were you to travel to Nancy
with us. You are only ten days' journey from Poitou, and I should
advise you to start at once. My man, Paolo, and two of the troopers will
accompany you as an escort. Your road will lead through Orleans, which
will be almost halfway, and you will also pass through Tours. At both
these towns you can, if you will, stay for a day to rest. I will ride
down with you into Blenfoix, where I shall be able to get paper and
pens, and will write letters to Captain MacIntosh and to my intendant
explaining exactly the position that you will occupy. One of the
troopers will ride forward with these from your last halting place
before you arrive there, in order that you may find everything prepared
and be received properly on your arrival. Do you both ride, or would you
rather have a pillion's place behind the troopers?"

"We both ride," she said; "but I should prefer, on a journey like this,
that my daughter should ride behind me on a pillion. You are altogether
too good, Colonel Campbell. You are heaping kindnesses upon us."

"Not at all, madam. And now you will doubtless be glad to hear that in
searching round the place this morning, we have