"My car is waiting. I have a British officer with me. If you do not mind a night drive, we can find his regiment."

"I am ready. Let us go."

What followed was a nightmarish journey over rough roads, with many stops to check maps, and to seek directions from Military Foot Police at crossroads. Marie sat in the back, wrapped up in a car rug against the evening chill.

"Here, petite, take a little brandy to warm you." The General passed her a small silver flask. Marie soon dozed off.

Another checkpoint.

"Captain Wilson, Liaison officer to General Matthieu, French Army. Do you know where would we find HQ of the 102nd Canadians?"

"Certainly, Captain. The 102nd's headquarters are in a farmhouse about three miles down the road."

"Joe, did yer see that girl in the back seat? Randy ol' b___! She's young enough to be his daughter! Trust the French."

"Maybe she was his daughter."

"Yeah, and I'm bloody Lord Kitchener."

At last they reached the HQ.

John was shaken awake by his very agitated Captain.

"Johnson! Wake UP!!"

"Wha?? What is it Captain?"

"Get your uniform on, and I hope it's clean. You're wanted at HQ. There's a bloody French General asking to see you."

"Probably one of my mother's old beaus."

John entered the Colonel's office, and saluted smartly. He was not going let his regiment down in front of a foreign officer. And it was a French General, to be sure.

"Stand at ease, Sergeant Johnson. Sergeant, this is General Matthieu. He has apparently come to see you personally. General, I will leave you two to discuss your business. Sergeant, just call if there is anything." And he left the room.

General Matthieu said nothing, but studied John for several minutes. Yes, he could see something of Jeanne in his face. So this was the boy who, in other circumstances could have been his own son. He liked what he saw. Obviously the boy knew how to handle himself.

John found the scrutiny somewhat unnerving. "Mon Général..." he began, in French. He tried again. "My mother has mentioned you as an old friend... Is there something wrong with my mother?" He could find no other explanation.

"No, my boy, she is well. At least as far as she said in her letter."

"But why are you here, Sir? What can I do for you?"

"Outside you will find my car. Please ask Lieutenant Drouin and Captain Wilson to come in here."

John saluted, and went out.

"Lieutenant, Captain? The General would like to see you in the Colonel's office." The two officers left the car, and returning his salute, went in.

At the sound of John's voice, the third figure, in the back seat, stirred, and then sat up, wide-eyed.

"JEAN!"

"Marie?!"

Their voices spoke almost as one. And then they were in each other's arms, hugging each other tight.

"But how did you get here?"

"The General brought me. He came today and asked me all sorts of questio..." Her reply was cut off by his mouth on hers, in a passionate kiss.

At the window the General watched the pair. No, there was no question that those two were in love. He could report back to Jeanne that the girl was a good match for her son. And he had satisfied his own curiosity about her son.

He went out and coughed discreetly.

"Mes amis, I will need to leave soon, as this young lady has a long trip back to her home. But I can spare ten minutes, and I might suggest that the back seat would be a more comfortable, and more private place to catch up on lost time."