ridden some distance I returned
thoughtfully to the city.

Felix, who was on duty at the hotel, looked at me curiously. "Where have
you been?" he asked. "We expected you last night, and concluded you must
have been detained on some special service. I have been wearing myself
to a shadow on your account!"

I made some commonplace excuse and left him, saying I was tired and
wished to sleep; for, though I did not regret my action, I could hardly
refrain from doubting its wisdom.

At first the incident occupied a large portion of my thoughts, but as
the days passed into weeks the memory of it wore off.

Winter had set in, and we knew the campaign would not open until the
spring of the next year. It was a trying time; the cold was intense--the
oldest veteran had never known such a keen frost--and much sickness
broke out among the troops. The good Admiral tended them with the
devotion of a father, spending himself in their service, and we of his
household were kept busy from morning till night.

In spite of every care, however, our losses were enormous, and the
prospect became very gloomy. Every one looked forward with eagerness to
the coming of spring.

"If the winter lasts much longer," said Roger Braund, one night when we
had all met at my aunt's house, "there will be no army left."

"A little more patience," my father exclaimed smilingly; "once the
campaign begins you will have no cause to complain of inaction!"

"Faith," laughed Felix, "if he rides with the Admiral, he will be
regretting sometimes having left the comforts of Rochelle."

"I shall probably do that," said Roger, glancing at my sister, "even
without the hard riding."

"Then you are a caitiff knight and no true soldier," I broke in hastily,
for Jeanne was blushing furiously, and my comrade's face had lost its
merriment; "but, really, things are becoming serious; more than a score
of men have died to-day!"

"Poor fellows!" said my mother tenderly; "if those who force us into
these cruel wars could only realize the misery they cause!"

"I fear, madame," remarked Roger, "that the suffering troubles them
little, as long as they can gain their ends."

About a week after this conversation there were signs that our long
inactivity was drawing to a close. The weather became far milder; the
ice began to thaw, and it was possible for the soldiers to pass the
nights in some degree of comfort. Orders were issued to the various
leaders, carts were collect