“Your brother has laid out the money well, Paolo,” Hector said, as he opened the door and led the way into his room.  “I do not think that I should have known you.”

“I am quite sure that I should not have known myself, master, if I had looked into a horse trough and seen my reflection.  It will be a long time before I shall be able to persuade myself that these clothes are my own, and that I really am an officer’s lackey.  Now, master, you must teach me my duties, of which I know nought when in a house like this, though I know well enough what they are when you are in the field.”

“They are few enough at present, Paolo.  Monsieur de Turenne’s stablemen look after the horses of his staff.  When I do not dine with him, I and my two friends, M. de Lisle and M. de Chavigny, dine and sup together at an inn.  There is my room to keep tidy, my bed to make, my armour and arms to be polished, and my clothes to be brushed.  Hitherto, my orderly has done these things, but it will now be your duty.  As I do not eat in my rooms, it is clear that there is no food for you, and when we are in towns I shall give you money to pay for your meals at a cabaret.”

“I hope, master, that you will soon find something more useful for me to do, for, in truth, I fear that with so much time on my hands I shall find it sorely difficult to comport myself as is due to your lackey.”

“Do not fear, I have little doubt that you will soon find work enough and to spare, and indeed you will often ride with me.”

Some few days later, the other two aides-de-camp being away, the viscount requested Hector to accompany him on a tour of inspection that might last two or three days.  He was accompanied by his orderly and three other troopers, behind who rode two of his own lackeys with baskets of provisions.  With them rode Paolo, Hector having asked the general if he should take him with him.

“You may as well do so, Campbell, it will accustom him to his work.  What made you choose so young a servant?” he asked, as he rode off.

“He is a year older than I am, though perhaps not so tall.  He is the brother of a man in the employment of Monsieur de Vevey.  He has been through the last two campaigns.  I find him very intelligent.  He obeys my orders promptly, and as he is heart and soul in the cause of the duchess, I feel sure of his fidelity, especially as he has had a hard time of it up to now, and is, I think, grateful to me for taking him.  He speaks French very well, and might certainly be of great use to me in any enterprise that your lordship might be good enough to entrust me with.  Being about the same age, I think that we might perhaps go together unquestioned where a man would be unable to pass.”

The viscount rode on for some minutes without speaking.  “There is something in what you say, Campbell, and after this journey is over I may be able to employ you in that way when it is necessary to obtain information I can get in no other manner.  Has he ridden with you before?”