the presence of ladies."

"I saw it, Monsieur le Comte," answered Jervis, "I saw it from a
distance, and was coming up as fast as I could make my horse gallop,
when you anticipated me. Then, seeing that I was not wanted, I stood
looking on with intense satisfaction; for, upon my word! I never saw a
thing better done in my life. No offence, Count, but by the way you use
your hands, I think you ought to have been an Englishman rather than a
Frenchman, which I suppose from your name--for you have no French
accent--you are."

"I was at school in England, Colonel," answered the Count, laughing,
"and so learned the use of my hands."

"That accounts for it--that accounts for it--for on my life, I never saw
a fellow more handsomely horsewhipped--and I have seen a good many, too.
Did you, Mademoiselle Valerie de Chatenoeuf; for I believe it is you
whom I have the honour of addressing?"

"I have been less fortunate than you, Colonel Jervis, for I never saw
any one horsewhipped before, and sincerely hope I shall never see
another."

"Don't say that, my dear lady, don't say that. I am sure it is a very
pretty sight, when it is well and soundly done. Besides it seems
ungrateful to the Count."

"I would not be ungrateful for the world," I replied; "and I am sure the
Count needs no assurance of that fact. I am for ever obliged by his
prompt defence of me--but it is nothing more than I should have expected
from him."

"What, that he would fight for you, Valerie?" whispered Caroline,
maliciously, in a tone which, perhaps, she did not intend to be
overheard; but, if such was her meaning, she missed it, for all present
heard her distinctly.

I replied, however, very coolly--

"Yes, Caroline, that he would fight for me, or you, or any lady who was
aggrieved or insulted in his presence."

"_Mille graces_ for your good opinions!" said de Chavannes, with a bow,
and a glance that was far more eloquent than words.

"A truce to compliments, if you will not think me impertinent, Count,"
said the Colonel; "but I wish to ask this fair lady, if she will pardon
me one question; had you ever a friend called--"

"Adele Chabot!" I interrupted him; "and I shall be most enchanted to
hear of her, or better still to see her, as Mrs Jervis."

"You have anticipated me; that is what I was about to say. We arrived
in town last night; and she commissioned me at once to make out your
whereabouts for her. The Gironacs told me that you we