pecial reasons? You certainly seem to take a remarkable
interest in this Frenchman," said he.

"The chief reason is that he has this very morning of his own accord
released Captain Alexis Barakoff, of the Dragoons of Grodno."

"It is true," said Barakoff, who had come out of the house. "He captured
me this morning, and he released me upon parole rather than take me back
to the French army, where I should have been starved."

"Since Colonel Gerard has acted so generously you will surely, now
that fortune has changed, allow us to offer him the poor shelter of our
cellar upon this bitter night," said Sophie. "It is a small return for
his generosity."

But the Dragoon was still in the sulks.

"Let him give me his parole first that he will not attempt to escape,"
said he. "Do you hear, sir? Do you give me your parole?"

"I give you nothing," said I.

"Colonel Gerard," cried Sophie, turning to me with a coaxing smile, "you
will give me your parole, will you not?"

"To you, mademoiselle, I can refuse nothing. I will give you my parole,
with pleasure."

"There, Major Sergine," cried Sophie, in triumph, "that is surely
sufficient. You have heard him say that he gives me his parole. I will
be answerable for his safety."

In an ungracious fashion my Russian bear grunted his consent, and so I
was led into the house, followed by the scowling father and by the
big, black-bearded Dragoon. In the basement there was a large and roomy
chamber, where the winter logs were stored. Thither it was that I was
led, and I was given to understand that this was to be my lodging for
the night. One side of this bleak apartment was heaped up to the ceiling
with fagots of firewood. The rest of the room was stone-flagged and
bare-walled, with a single, deep-set window upon one side, which was
safely guarded with iron bars. For light I had a large stable lantern,
which swung from a beam of the low ceiling. Major Sergine smiled as he
took this down, and swung it round so as to throw its light into every
corner of that dreary chamber.

"How do you like our Russian hotels, monsieur?" he asked, with his
hateful sneer. "They are not very grand, but they are the best that we
can give you. Perhaps the next time that you Frenchmen take a fancy to
travel you will choose some other country where they will make you more
comfortable." He stood laughing at me, his white teeth gleaming through
his beard. Then he left me, and I heard the great key creak i