“Well, I am heartily glad, Mike; and I hope that you will take it straight to the agent’s, and not break in upon it, by treating half the regiment to drink.”

“I will, your honour.  It was given me to stow away for the time when I might want it, and though I don’t say that my own inclinations would not lead me to trate a few of the boys, I feel that I ought to do what the gentleman told me.”

“Certainly you should, Mike.  If you once began to spend it in that way, it is not one louis, but five or more, that would disappear in a few hours.  I am heartily glad that the baron has so handsomely rewarded you for the service, and if you like, I will go round with you this afternoon to his agent, and see the money safely deposited.”

“Thank you, your honour.  I sha’n’t feel easy, as long as I have got it in my pouch.  I should suspict everyone who came near me, and should never dare take my hand off it, lest someone else might put his in.”

“You are a lucky fellow, Kennedy,” O’Neil said, when Desmond told his two comrades of the arrangements that had been made.  “And, if you go on like this, the regiment will believe that any good fortune that may fall to its lot is the result of your luck.”

“I really do not like having leave given to me, when I have been such a short time in the regiment.  It does not seem fair upon others.”

“No one will grudge you that,” O’Sullivan said.  “It is not as if we were at home.  Then, of course, everyone would like his turn.  But here, although we are soldiers of France, we are as strangers in the land.  Here in Paris we have many acquaintances, and a welcome at most of the receptions; but that is the end of it.  It is seldom, indeed, that we are invited into the country houses of those we know.  That sort of hospitality is not the fashion in France.  Here, nobles may throw open their houses to all gentlemen by birth who happen to be presented to them, but at home they are rigidly exclusive; and, moreover, I am inclined to think they regard us Irishmen as detrimental and dangerous.  Many Irishmen make exceedingly good matches, and we are regarded as having a way with us, with the girls, that is likely to interfere with the arrangements their parents have made for their marriages.  Now, it seems to me that your baron must be a very confiding old gentleman, or he would never take you to stay in the society of the young lady who owes so much to you.  Faith, it seems to me that you have the ball at your feet, and that you have only to go in and win.  From what I hear, Mademoiselle Pointdexter is no older than you are yourself, and it is a glorious chance for you.”

Desmond broke into a laugh.

“My dear O’Sullivan,” he said, “it seems to me that it is the favourite dream of Irish soldiers of fortune, that they may improve their circumstances by marriage.”

“Well, there is no easier or more pleasant way,” his friend said, stoutly.