“‘He was--and is, I hope,’ said madame. ‘He was one of the King’s Musketeers, but was taken prisoner at Oudenarde, and on being exchanged he joined Montbrasin’s regiment because it was on the frontier; and since that day, a year ago, I have been unable to find any trace of him. I have strong hopes he is living, for I have no proof that he is dead; and knowing that Colonel Montbrasin is the commandant of the garrison of Bouchain, I have made my way here, with incredible difficulty, even through the English lines.’ Now this was really a very clever speech, for the King’s Musketeers was a crack regiment, being the Grand Monarque’s own body-guard, and no man was admitted into it unless he was of the best blood of France. So the lieutenant thought Madame Geoffroy was a great lady.