"Very young; but I have had singularly good fortune, and have been
happy enough to please both Marshal Turenne and the Duc d'Enghien."

"And you have served under them both?" she said in surprise.

"I have had that good fortune. I was with Turenne for nearly four
years in Italy, and fought under Enghien at Rocroi, and I may say
under both of them at Freiburg."

"What is the name of your regiment, monsieur?"

"The Poitou regiment."

"Indeed!" she exclaimed. "Of course, we have heard all the particulars
of the battle; and it was said that General Merci would have beaten
Monsieur Turenne back had it not been for the Poitou regiment,
commanded by a Scottish colonel, and said to be the finest under
the command of the French generals. They say it stood for three
hours against the attacks of the whole Bavarian army."

"We were in a strong position," Hector said quietly, "at the mouth
of a defile, so that no more than our own numbers could attack us
at once. However, l am proud of the conduct of my men; none could
have fought more steadily than they did."

"My husband was killed in the battle against Enghien's army on the
hill. I am glad that it was not by your regiment, monsieur."

"I am glad too, madam."