ays it is right, and--yes, it was stolen from us, and it is but
to restore it to France--to France."

"Now for it," he muttered, as he neared the entrance to the great
stables, where to his delight he could see by the light within that the
door was open and a shadow passing the lit-up entry showed him that at
all events part of his task would be easy. "Now no more thinking. I am
but doing my duty, and it is time to act."

Increasing his pace now, he stepped boldly into a broad shelter from
which a long, dimly seen vista of horse-stalls opened out to right and
left, and he was confronted at once by two of a group of men, three of
whom bore lanterns, and who were coming towards him as if about to leave
the place.

"Here," he cried authoritatively, as he recognised one of the grooms as
being he who had their steeds in charge, "I want our horses saddled at
once."

"To-night, sir?" said the man, glancing at the lad's courtly costume in
search of his boots and spurs, and seeking in vain, his eyes being only
met by glistening silk and rosetted shoon.

"Yes," replied Denis haughtily; "to-night"; and then half laughingly,
"It is fresh and cool and pleasant, is it not?"

"Yes, sir," said the man, "but--"

"The rooms are hot and stifling to-night, and the Comte my master wishes
to ride forth. You will be well rewarded for the extra trouble and--ah,
here," he continued, thrusting his hand into Leoni's pouch, "I forgot;
you will of course sit up till we return. Here is something to pay for
wine."

He held out a couple of gold pieces, which, as they were taken, acted
like magic, and a busy little scene of emulation ensued, every man being
eager to assist in bridling and saddling the beautiful chargers that had
been standing haltered in their stalls.

It was hard work for Denis, whose pulses were throbbing with impatience;
but he carried out his part well, patting and stroking first one and
then another of the noble beasts, and talking to them the while.

"It seems rather hard," he said, speaking in the same haughty tone to
the man he had before addressed; "but a good canter round the park will
do them good, and their work is very easy nowadays."

The groom agreed to everything he said, for the glint of the gold placed
in his hand was still before his eyes; and in a very short space of
time, long as it seemed to the impatient lad, the last strap and buckle
were fastened, and with a man giving final touches to glisteni