Three Came to Ville Marie

"You must see her and judge for yourself: she is twenty; her father served under Turenne in Holland; she is gay, like you, and...." he paused with a sudden softening of expression that gave his sternly moulded features a sort of pathos, "Jules, will you tell me something, and not laugh at me?"

"Certainly, if I can."

"You are perhaps in love yourself?"

"At the moment, no: I am what you call convalescent from the last attack, split between regret and anticipation. Today I am actually interested in the billeting of troops."

"Well, I am deeply in love, yet make little progress. Jacqueline's mother is on my side, but I am not sure of her father. My resources are sufficient, indeed for a Breton I am a rich man, and Jacqueline's dot is provided. For me there can be no other woman, but, but...."

"You feel at a loss when with her, eh?"

Paul blinked at him. "How did you know that?"

"It is very simple; you lack practice."

"But my heart sp