“Well, then, till the evening I will say goodbye, colonel.  I am going to have a chat with Sergeant MacIntosh, and shall then return to Conde’s hotel.  I suppose I shall be expected to take my midday meal there.”

“It would be as well to do so certainly, even though it is like enough that he himself will not be there.  He is the prince of schemers, and doubtless at present his thoughts are concentrated on the manner in which he and Enghien can best gain advantages from the victory.”

CHAPTER X:  AN ESTATE AND TITLE

On entering the Scottish Soldier, Hector found that, as he hoped, the cabaret was deserted, for it was the hour at which the regiment was assembled for drill.  It would have been a little embarrassing for him as a colonel to come upon a number of private soldiers at the cabaret.  Separately he might have chatted with each, but a general greeting when a number of them were there together would have been embarrassing.

The old sergeant as he entered ran up to him.  “Well done, my lad, well done!  ’Tis a delight to me indeed to know that you have so grandly made your way, and already won the rank of colonel.”

“Why, how did you know, MacIntosh?”

“The guard at the colonel’s was changed just after you went into his quarters, and you may be sure that they lost no time in spreading the news that you had returned, and returned a colonel.  In ten minutes this place was as full as it would hold, and there was such a crowd outside the door that a sergeant-de-ville came in to inquire what was the matter, thinking, perhaps, that the regiment was in mutiny.  I was right glad when I heard the trumpet sound the assembly a few minutes ago, and they had to rush off in a hurry, for I felt that it would be awkward for you were you to come in when they were all so excited.”

“Yes, I was glad myself when I found that they were gone.  I regard every soldier in the regiment as my friend, and would shake hands with them now as heartily as I did when I went away near four years back, but I myself felt that it would be somewhat embarrassing were I greeted by them wine cup in hand.  Here are twenty pistoles; say that I left them here for them to drink my health on my promotion, but that I shall be so busy during the day or two that I remain in Paris that I shall not be able to pay another visit here.  Now let us have a quiet talk together, and give me all the news of the regiment.”

“Perhaps, colonel —­ "

“Oh, you need not call me colonel, MacIntosh, when you and I are together alone.  I am what I was —­ Hector Campbell, the lad to whom you showed so much kindness for his father’s sake.  Yes, I will tell you one or two of my adventures, and you shall come round to me tomorrow morning at seven o’clock at the Hotel Conde, and we will stroll out together, and sit down in the gardens of the Palais Cardinal, and you shall then tell me about the regiment, who have gone, and what changes there are.”