I.— Brave chevalier d’Assas. Nicolas d’Assas was a

young captain in the French army [régiment d' Auvergne) when in 1760 the French were invading Westphalia. Fearing a surprise one iiight he was searching a wood, when hostile soldiers surroun led him, and putting their bayonets to his breast, threatened him with death if he gave the alarm. ^ But the heroic soldier uttered the famous cry, “A moi, Auvergne, ce sont les ennemis," and fell pierced by a hundred bayonets.

10. — Par les hivers. ‘ Les ' gives a somewhat general sense,

‘ by many winters. ’

10. — Pieds recouverts. Recouvrir, to cover again ; here reuder, ‘hidden.’

NOTES

68 11. — La fleur lilas. Lilas is (1) a noun, ‘ lilac’ ; (2) an invari-

able adj., ‘lilac’ (color).