“I see you have learned to flatter,” the countess said smiling.  “This is my daughter Thekla.”

“I am glad to see you,” the girl said; “but I am a little disappointed.  I had thought that the Scots were such big fierce soldiers, and you are not very big —­ not so tall as papa; and you do not look fierce at all —­ not half so fierce as my cousin Caspar, who is but a boy.”

“That is very rude, Thekla,” her mother said reprovingly, while Malcolm laughed gaily.

“You are quite right, Fraulein Thekla.  I know I do not look very fierce, but I hope when my moustache grows I shall come up more nearly to your expectations.  As to my height, I have some years to grow yet, seeing that I am scarce eighteen, and perhaps no older than your cousin.”

“Have you recently joined, sir?” the countess asked.

“I have served through the campaign,” Malcolm replied, “and have seen some hard knocks given, as you may imagine when I tell you that I was at the siege of New Brandenburg.”

“When your soldiers fought like heroes, and, as I heard, all died sword in hand save two or three officers who managed to escape.”

“I was one of the three, countess; but the tale is a long one, and can be told after we have done with the Imperialists.  Now, sir,” he went on, turning to the count, “I am at your orders, and will take post with my men at any point that you may think fit.”

“Before doing that,” the count said, “you must join us at breakfast.  You must be hungry after your long march, and as I have been all night in my armour I shall do justice to it myself.  You will, of course, take up your abode here.  As to other matters I have done my best, and the townspeople were yesterday all told off to their places on the walls.  I should think it were best that your band were stationed in the marketplace as a reserve, they could then move to any point which might be seriously threatened.  Should the Imperialists enter the town the citizens have orders to fall back here fighting.  All their most valuable goods were sent up here yesterday, together with such of their wives and families as have not taken flight, so that there will be nothing to distract them from their duty.”

“That is good,” Malcolm said.  “The thought that one is fighting for home and family must nerve a man in the defence, but when the enemy once breaks in he would naturally think of home first and hasten away to defend it to the last, instead of obeying orders and falling back with his comrades in good order and discipline.”

The meal was a cheerful one.  Malcolm related more in detail how he and his detachment happened to be so far removed from the army.

Just as the meal came to an end a drum beat in the town and the alarm bells began to ring.  The count and Malcolm sallied out at once to the outer wall, and saw a small party of officers riding from the village occupied by the Imperialists towards the town.