others while I am away; and both for the sake of the regiment, and
as a reward for the merit and conduct of Captain de Thiou himself,
I should be very glad were he promoted and should feel that the
regiment would in no way deteriorate during my absence."

"Certainly, Campbell, I will carry out your recommendation. He
has fairly earned his promotion, and as you say, it is better in
your absence that the regiment should be led by an officer of rank
above the others, and not by a captain having but a very slight
seniority to some of them. Doubtless you will be saying goodbye
to the officers tonight. I authorize you to inform de Thiou that
he will be placed in orders tomorrow morning as second colonel of
the regiment."

"I did not think that we were likely to be back in Paris before
next winter, master," Paolo said rather discontentedly when Hector
told him that they were to start early next morning.

"Nor did I, Paolo, and I should very much rather have remained with
the regiment; but as the marshal is good enough to consider that
my presence there may be of advantage to him, I have of course
nothing to say against it."

There was great regret among the officers when they heard that their
colonel was not going to lead them, but all were pleased that de
Thiou, who was a general favourite, had obtained promotion. That
officer was at once surprised and gratified at the news, for it
was not often that men without strong family interest rose to the
rank of colonel.