Belle-Rose — page 126: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

eee ee 0 Sa ae . THE EVE OF THE LAST DAY, 115 punishing him, you will prevent my poor comrade from destroying himself.. Déroute counts on assisting me to escape to-night. I have vainly attempted to dissuade him, he persists, and exposes him- self to be shot to save me. Ino longer cling to life, and whatever he ' may do,I am resolved to submit to my fate, but I do not wish to make him share it. Heis an honest man, whom I should regret much to see die. Protect him against himself. BrLLE-Rose.,” Monsieur de Naucrais crumpled up the letter. ‘‘Say to Belle-Rose that I will do what he asks,’’ said he to the sapper, who left the room. ‘‘He has a true soldier’s heart!’’ exclaimed Monsieur de Naucrais, when he. was alone; “‘my brother and _ he, one after the other. Only the good die.’’ ) And the captain, exasperated, broke with his fist a little table against which he was leaning. An hour after the sapper’s return, Belle-Rose saw Cor- poral Déroute enter his prison. The poor corporal wore a frightened countenance. ‘““‘We are betrayed!’ said he, falling upon a chair. ‘‘Really!’’ replied Belle-Rose, affecting a great surprise. ‘The captain has learned everything. Some mischiév- ous artilleryman must have heard us. I was swallowing my soup when a cannoneer came on the part of the captain to order me to instantly appear before him. I go. Scarcely are we alone, when Monsieur de Naucrais makes me a sign to approach. ‘I know all,’ he said tome. At these words I grow troubled and stammer areply of which I under- stood nothing myself. ‘Peace,’ he continues. ‘I have no proofs, you will not appear then before a council of war; but to deprive you of any desire to begin again, I send you to the lock-up. You will remain there three days. If you were not a good soldier, I would make you taste the sprouts. Take this and march.’ I leave thoroughly stupe- fied and find outside three cannoneers who bring me back here. During the route, [ examine what the captain had placed in my hand. It was a purse, in which I have counted a dozen louis. ‘The lock-up and gold, all at the same time—lI did not understand it. The sergeant who has replaced me in command of the post has permitted me to. enter a moment. What an adventure!”’ ‘‘You need not grieve—we would not have succeeded.’’ ‘*Bah! the night is black, and we have good legs.”’ ‘“‘T prefer to see you in prison. You risked your life and I do not cling to mine.’’ ‘“This evening, it is possible; but to-morrow! Hoid, I will never console myself for it.’’ 8S | Eomicbooks (E()