Part 25 (1/2)
”And the lady?”
”His niece.”
”You have met her?”
”Not I. They care nothing for such as we. He treats us as if we were of the sc.u.m of the earth, dogs. Oh, if only----”
”Hush,” said Marteau. ”It is dangerous.”
”I know. And he brought with him an Englishman, one of the Duke of Wellington's officers.”
”Is he married to the young lady?”
”Not yet, I believe, but betrothed.”
”And his name?”
”He has a barbarous name. I can't p.r.o.nounce it. He had us out inspecting us yesterday--he and that Englishman. Bah! To think of the Fifth-of-the-Line being inspected by such a young red-coated c.o.c.kerel.”
The veteran spat in the dust as the soldier had done and swore roundly.
He hated the red-coated English. He had fought them before, and he would like nothing better than to fight them again.
”Patience,” said Marteau.
”Do you wish to go to headquarters and report yourself? You were a Major on the Emperor's staff?”
”A Lieutenant-Colonel, by personal appointment that day at Arcis.”
”Well, you will be lucky enough if they make you a subaltern. Look at me. I am older than you. I am a veteran of Italy and I am only a sub-lieutenant, I, who was Captain when I was captured.”
”Patience, my friend,” said Marteau again.
”Here,” said the officer, hailing a cabriolet, which suddenly turned the corner.
”I have no money,” said Marteau quickly.
”The King pays ill enough,” answered the officer, ”but what I have is ever at the service of a good comrade.”
He a.s.sisted Marteau into the cabriolet, allowed Pierre to climb up beside him, paid the driver his fare, and bade him take the two to the headquarters in the barracks.
CHAPTER XVII
A VETERAN OF THE ARMY OF ITALY
It was noon when Marteau presented himself before the house in which the Major of the first battalion, an old veteran named Lestoype, was quartered.
”Who shall I say wants to see him?” asked the orderly before the door.
”A soldier of the Empire,” was the bold answer, and it proved an open sesame to the astonished orderly.