ed to keep my head above me as when I came to that
door. Two figures in white came out to meet me. At first I did
not observe--I had enough to do keeping my eyes open--that they
were the Mlles. de Lambert.

"God save us!" I heard one of them say. "He is hurt; he is pale.
See the blood running off his boot-leg."

Then, as one took the bit, the other eased me down from my saddle,
calling loudly for help. She took her handkerchief--that had a
perfume I have not yet forgotten--as she supported me, and wiped
the sweat and dust from my face. Then I saw they were the splendid
young ladies I had seen at the count's table. The discovery put
new life in me; it was like a dash of water in the face. I lifted
my hat and bowed to them.

"Ladies, my thanks to you," I said in as good French as I knew. "I
have been shot. May I ask you to send for a doctor?"

A butler ran down the steps; a gardener and a stable-boy hurried
out of the grove.

"To the big room--the Louis-Quinze," said one of the girls,
excitedly, as the men came to my help.

The fat butler went puffing upstairs, and they followed, on each
side of me.

"Go for a doctor, quick," said one of them to the gardener, who was
coming behind--a Frenchman who prayed to a saint as he saw my blood.

They led me across a great green rug in a large hall above-stairs
to a chamber of which I saw little then save its size and the
wealth of its appointments. The young ladies set me down, bidding
one to take off my boots, and sending another for hot water. They
asked me where I was hurt. Then they took off my blouse and
waistcoat.

"Mon Dieu!" said one to the other. "What can we do? Shall we cut
the shirt?"

"Certainly. Cut the shirt," said the other. "We must help him.
We cannot let him die."

"God forbid!" was the answer. "See the blood. Poor fellow! It is
terrible!"

They spoke very tenderly as they cut my shirt with scissors, and
bared my back, and washed my wound with warm water. I never felt a
touch so caressing as that of their light fingers, but, gods of
war! it did hurt me. The bathing done, they bound me big with
bandages and left the room until the butler had helped me into bed.
They came soon with spirits and bathed my face and hands. One
leaned over me, whispering, and asking what I would like to eat.
Directly a team of horses came prancing to the door.

"The colonel!" one of them whispered, listening.

"The colonel, upon my soul!" said