“I wrote twice,” the marquis said, “but I guessed that the letters had never arrived.  And the good gentleman your grandfather, he is still alive and well?”

“As well as ever,” Rupert said, “and will be delighted to hear of you.

“Mademoiselle is well, I trust?”

“Quite well, and quite a belle at the court, I can assure you,” the marquis said.  “But there are the gates of Louvain.  You will, of course, give me your parole not to try to escape, and then you can come straight to my quarters with me, and I need not report you for a day or so.  We shall be in fearful confusion tonight, for half our army is crowding in here, and every one must shift for himself.

“Peste!  What a beating you have given us!  That Marlborough of yours is terrible.

“I know some people here,” he said, turning to the officers.  “They will take us four in, and the men must picket their horses in the courtyard and street, and lie down in their cloaks.  Tomorrow we will see what is to be done, and how many have escaped from the terrible debacle.”

The streets of Louvain were crowded with fugitives, some of them had thrown themselves down by the sidewalks, utterly exhausted; others mingled with the anxious townsmen, and related the incidents of the disastrous day; while the horses stood, with drooping heads, huddled together along the middle of the street.  It was only by making long detours that the Marquis de Pignerolles reached the house of which he was in search.  Late as was the hour the inmates were up, for the excitement at Louvain was so great that no one had thought of going to bed; and Monsieur Cardol, his wife and family, did all in their power for their guests.

Supper was quickly laid for the four gentlemen; a barrel of wine was broached for the troops, and what provisions were in the house were handed over to them.

“Now let us look at you,” the Marquis de Pignerolles said, as they entered the brightly lighted room.  “Ah, you are a man now; but your face has little changed—­scarcely at all.”

“I am scarcely a man yet,” Rupert said, laughing.  “I am just twenty now; it is rather more than four years since we parted, without even saying goodbye.”

“Yes, indeed, Rupert.  I tried to do you a good turn in the matter of the Brownlows.  I hope it succeeded.”

“It did indeed,” Rupert said.  “We are indeed indebted to you for your intervention then.  You saved my lady mother from a wretched marriage, and you saved for me the lands of Windthorpe Chace.”

“Ah, I am glad it came off well.  But I am your debtor still, mind that; and always shall be.  And now to supper.  First, though, I must introduce you formally to my comrades, and to our host and hostess, and their pretty daughters.”

Very much surprised were the latter when they heard that the handsome young officer was an Englishman and a prisoner.