“A very pretty adventure, indeed,” the colonel said warmly, and loud expressions of approbation rose from the other listeners.

“And why did you not tell us, when you came in?” the colonel went on.

“I had not seen Baron Pointdexter, and did not know what course he would take—­whether he would think it best to hush the matter up altogether, or to lay a complaint before the king; and, until I knew what he was going to do, it seemed to me best that I should hold my tongue, altogether.

“When I went to Versailles, today, I found that he had laid his complaint before the king, and that the Vicomte de Tulle, who was the author of the outrage, had been ordered to his estates.  I may say that I had the honour of a private interview with His Majesty, who graciously approved of my conduct, and gave me this ring,” and he held out his hand, “as a token of his approval.”

“Well, gentlemen, you will agree with me,” the colonel said, “that our young ensign has made an admirable debut, and I am sure that we are all proud of the manner in which he has behaved; and our anticipations, that he would prove a credit to the regiment, have been verified sooner than it seemed possible.”

“They have, indeed, Colonel,” the major said.  “It was, in every way, a risky thing for him to have attempted.  I do not mean because of the odds that he might have to face, but because of the trouble that he might have got into, by forcing his way into a private house.  The scream might have come from a mad woman, or from a serving wench receiving a whipping for misconduct.”

“I never thought anything about it, Major.  A woman screamed for help, and it seemed to me that help should be given.  I did not think of the risk, either from armed men inside—­for I had no reason to believe that there were such—­or of civil indictment for breaking in.  We heard the cry, made straight for the house, and, as it turned out, all went well.”

“Well, indeed,” the colonel said.  “You have rescued a wealthy heiress from a pitiable fate.  You have fleshed your maiden sword in the bodies of two villains.  You have earned the gratitude of the young lady and her father, and have received the approval of His Majesty—­a very good night’s work, altogether.  Now, tell us a little more about it.”

Desmond was compelled to tell the story in much further detail than before.  The colonel ordered in a dozen of champagne, and it was late before the party broke up.

“You see, we were pretty nearly right in our guess,” O’Neil said, as he and O’Sullivan walked across with Desmond to their quarters.  “We said that we thought it likely she might have been carried off by one of the court gallants, who felt tolerably confident that, if successful, the king would overlook the offence.  This fellow, thanks to your interference, did not succeed; and the king has let him off, lightly enough, by only banishing him from court.  If it had been anyone but one of his favourites, he would, by this time, have been a tenant of the Bastille.