"These wars are terrible, and we of Lorraine -- lying between
France and Germany -- suffer whichever wins. Fortunately we lie
at a distance from the roads that the armies follow, and therefore
have escaped the devastation caused all along the line of march.
Nevertheless we have the sadness of knowing that in the field
neighbours must fight against neighbours, and kinsmen against
kinsmen, for since the duke fled many of our nobles, seeing that
the country has now become part of France, have joined her, while
others, like my husband, followed the duke into Germany. However,
as an Irishwoman it matters little to me now which is the victor."

"Do you think of returning home, madam?"

"As to that, I have not yet made up my mind. The land there is as
distracted as is France by civil war. It is sixteen years since
I left Ireland with my husband, a few months after our marriage. I
was an orphan, and have no near relations to whom I can go, therefore
it matters little to me whether I live in France or Ireland, so
that I can see some way of earning my own living and that of my
daughter. With economy, the sale of the silver would suffice to
keep us for three or four years, and long before that I hope that
I shall be able in some way to earn my living."

Hector sat silent for two or three minutes. "It seems to me,
madam," he said at last, "that it would be better that you should
not spend the proceeds of your silver before looking for a post.
I can offer you one at once, if you will accept it."

"You, monsieur!" she exclaimed in surprise.