d into conversation with the old
gentleman, who explained to me how the attack began, before I had come
to their assistance: and from the information I received from him, I was
enabled to form a very good idea of the story that I was to tell. I
found that I had been on horseback with my servant, when I rode to their
assistance; that we had been both supposed to be killed, and that we
were about five miles from any post town.

By this time it was broad daylight, and I made another discovery, which
was, that I was wearing an officer's undress. Anxious to gratify my
curiosity by a sight of the young lady, I turned to her, as she lay
muffled up in the cloak, and expressed a hope that she did not feel
cold. She put her head out, and answered in the negative with such a
sweet smile, upon such a sweet face as I never had before witnessed. I
looked at her as if transfixed, and did not take my eyes off until she
blushed, and again sank back as before.

This brought me to my recollection; I offered to go for assistance, and
my services were thankfully accepted. I passed by the men who had been
killed, as I went on my mission; one was habited in a livery similar to
the coach-man who lay dead by his horses; the other was in that of a
groom, and I took it for granted that he had been my servant. I searched
in his pockets for information, and, collecting the contents, commenced
reading them as I walked along.

By his memoranda I found out that I had come from Aix. By letters and
papers in my own pockets I ascertained who I was, who my father was, to
what regiment I belonged, that I was on leave of absence, and that I had
a brother, whose affectionate letter I read carefully for further
information. I had not time to count a considerable sum of money, which
was in my purse, before I fell in with a countryman, who was leading his
horses to the plough. Briefly narrating the circumstances, I offered him
a handsome remuneration, if he would mount one of his horses, and
procure immediate assistance. Having seen him off in a hand-gallop, I
returned to the carriage to try if it were possible to have one more
view of that face which had so enchanted me. I stated the good fortune I
had met with, and my hopes of a speedy deliverance from their trouble. I
answered the old gentleman's inquiry of the name and condition of the
person to whom he and his daughter had been so much indebted, talked of
my father the Compte de Rouille, of my regiment,