I have the same feeling myself," concurred Steinmetz courteously.
"Do you ride about the country much alone ?" asked Paul, while the servants were setting before this uninvited guest a few more substantial delicacies.
"Ah, no, prince! This is my first attempt, and if it had not procured me this pleasure I should say that it will be my last." "It is easy to lose yourself," said Paul; "besides"-- and the two friends watched the Frenchman's face closely--"besides, the country is disturbed at present." De Chauxville was helping himself daintily to pate de foie gras.
"Ah, indeed! Is that so ?" he answered.

"But they would not hurt me--a stranger in the land." "And an orphan, too, I have no doubt," added Steinmetz, with a laugh.
"But would the moujik pause to enquire, my very dear De Chauxville ?" "At all events, I should not pause to answer," replied the Frenchman, in the same, light tone.

"I should evacuate.

Ah, mademoiselle," he went on, addressing Maggie, "they have been attempting to frighten you, I suspect, with their stories of disturbed peasantry.

It is to keep up the lurid local color.