es, reports, bullets,
_sacres_, which in an instant gleamed in my eyes, and roared and sang
about my ears were deafening. How they all contrived to miss me I can't
imagine, but miss me they did; and I had passed them about sixty paces,
when who should start up over a hedge, a few yards in advance, but my
domino-player, Sous-lieutenant Victor! In an instant his musket was
raised within two or three feet of my face. Flash! bang! I felt a blow
as if from a thrust of red-hot steel; and for a moment made sure that my
head was off. With difficulty I kept my seat. The horse dashed on, and I
was speedily beyond the chance of capture or pursuit. I drew bridle at
the first village I reached, and found that Victor's bullet had gone
clean through both cheeks. The marks, you see, are still plain enough."

This was quite true. On slightly separating the gray hairs of the
captain's whiskers, the places where the ball had made its entrance and
exit were distinctly visible.

"A narrow escape," I remarked.

"Yes, rather; but a miss is as good as a mile. The effusion of blood
nearly choked me; and it was astonishing how much wine and spirits it
required to wash the taste out of my mouth. I found," continued Mr.
Smith, "on arriving at head-quarters, that Ciudad Rodrigo had fallen as
reported, and that Lord Wellington was hurrying on to storm Badajoz
before the echo of his guns should have reached Massena or Soult in the
fool's paradise where they were both slumbering. I was of course for
some time on the sick-list, and consequently only assisted at the
assault of Badajoz as a distant spectator--a part I always preferred
when I had a choice. It was an awful, terrible business," added Mr.
Smith, with unusual solemnity. "I am not much of a philosopher that I
know of, nor, except in service hours, particularly given to religion,
but I remember, when the roar and tumult of the fierce hurricane broke
upon the calm and silence of the night, and a storm of hell-fire seemed
to burst from and encircle the devoted city, wondering what the stars,
which were shining brightly overhead, thought of the strife and dim they
looked so calmly down upon. It was gallantly done, however," the veteran
added, in a brisker tone, "and read well in the Gazette; and that
perhaps is the chief thing."

"But what," I asked, "has all this to do with the charming Coralie and
your love-adventure?"

"Every thing to do with it, as you will immediately find. I remained in