Had he understood the look, and been of a bold nature, he would have clasped the girl to his breast and kissed her.

Her red lips would have made scarcely any resistance.

But the confusion of mind passed quickly, the light afternoon sunshine and the sight of the people passing through the breach in the castle wall brought him to full consciousness, and the dangerous step was not taken.

Loulou recovered her sprightliness, and going back to his story asked him, "So you have been in a campaign ?" "Certainly." "Did you become an officer ?" "No, fraulein, only a 'vize-Feldwebel.'" "Have you fought in a battle ?" "Oh, yes, at Burkersdork, Skalitz, Koniginhof, and Koniggratz." "That must have been frightfully interesting.

And have you ever killed one of the enemy ?" "Happily not.