"Certainly; and plenty of room for a band of music besides."
"O dear! no--not even the hundred and sixty pounders; the vaulted roof is strong an a rock, besides twelve feet of rock above. We can eat, drink, and give toasts," continued the major, "to our heart's content; the band may play, and the young folk dance, without endangering a hair of our heads!"
"Ah! a capital idea, truly! Perhaps you have already given _fêtes_ there?"
"Oh, almost every day in winter; while the enemy were raising entrenchments over our heads, and trying their best to throw shells into the town, we were dancing quite snugly under the ramparts, and only laughing at them through the loopholes--ha, ha, ha!"
The major seemed to consider this an excellent joke, while the other dignitaries were cutting wry faces, recollecting that on such occasions but few, and those not the _élite_, remained without to protect the fort.
The General neither laughed nor looked displeased; he appeared satisfied with the major's plan, and dismissed the deputation, promising them that the next day's entertainment should be the most agreeable they had ever yet partaken of.
At the hour appointed, a large party, in gala costumes and with holiday demeanour, assembled in the pavilion of the fort.
The General received his guests with his usual cordiality, and, as soon as the attendants announced that the banquet was prepared, he invited them to accompany him thither.
It was a glorious spring evening. The soldiers greeted the brilliant _cortège_ with loud "Eljens!" as they passed the gates of the castle.
Among the guests was our bearded major, who took the utmost pains to insinuate himself into the good graces of the General, constantly addressing him in the most facetious manner, so that those who heard the conversation might have supposed they were on the most intimate footing possible.
"Your excellency is pleased to survey the ramparts?" he remarked in the softest tone imaginable, which he had learnt as a lord-lieutenant.
"I surveyed them all early this morning," replied the General; "they are in good condition."
"Especially that one which your excellency was pleased to hear me mention yesterday."
"And where we are going to dine to-day," pursued the General.