gain her _dot_!"

V.

Of all these gay proceedings I, of course, was ignorant. Ever since
Michel's visit I had felt very wretched. I had no further tidings of my
friends at Montreuil, and began to think that Pierrette must have quite
forgotten me. The regiment remained at Orleans three months, and I had a
bad fit of home-sickness which affected my physical health.

One day, in the street, an officer of our company called me to him, and
pointing to a huge play-bill, said:--

"Read that, Mathurin."

This is what I read:--

"By order.

"On Monday next will be given a special performance of 'Irene,' the new
work of M. de Voltaire, to be followed by 'Rose and Colas,' an operetta
by M. Sedaine and M. de Monsigny, for the benefit of Mademoiselle
Colombe, of the Comedie Italienne, who will appear in the second piece.
Her Majesty the Queen has graciously promised to be present."

"What has that to do with me, my Captain?" inquired I.

"You are a good-looking fellow," said the officer. "I will get you
powdered and frizzed out a bit, and station you at the door of the Royal
box."

Thus it came to pass that the night of the performance found me in the
theatre, resplendent in full uniform, standing upon a blue carpet, and
surrounded on all sides by flowers and festoons.

While awaiting the Queen's arrival, I overheard a conversation between
M. de Grevey and the manager of the theatre. The latter seemed anxious
concerning the qualifications of Mademoiselle Colombe, who, apparently,
was quite unknown to him, while the other reassured him upon that point,
and conveyed to him Her Majesty's guarantee that a sum equal to the half
of the night's receipts should be paid to him for the use of his
theatre. Evidently, the whole affair had been got up by the Queen.

[Illustration: "I OVERHEARD A CONVERSATION."]

Their dialogue was interrupted by a sudden bustle and commotion, and the
Queen entered so quickly that I had barely time to present arms. With
her was the other young lady whom I had seen at Montreuil.

The performance commenced at once. All the time that 'Irene' was going
on, the Queen laughed and chattered, but as soon as the operetta began,
she was all attention, her example, of course, being followed by
everyone in her box.

Suddenly I heard a woman's voice which thrilled me to the heart, and set
me trembling so that I could scarcely hold my gun. Surely there was but
one voice like that in all the world!

Thr