Marie was talking of her brother--of the part he was to take
in the war--of the gallant Cathelineau, and of the events which were so
quickly coming on them; but Madame de Lescure by degrees weaned her from
the subject and brought her to that on which she wished to speak.
"M. Larochejaquelin will be much here as long as this fighting lasts and
M. Denot: we shall have plenty of brave knights coming to and fro to lay
their trophies at your feet."
"Poor M. Denot--his trophies if he gets any will be taken to
Durbelliere; and I fear me, when he offers them, they will not be
welcomed. Agatha loves him not; she thinks he shares his adoration too
equally between her and his looking-glass."
"I do not wonder at it; no one can deny that M. Denot is attractive, but
he attracts without retaining; were I ever so much in want of lovers,
I could not endure M. Denot's attentions for more than one evening at
the utmost; but our other knight--our other preux chevalier, sans peur
et sans reproche--at whose feet will he lay his trophies, Marie? who is
to wreath a crown of bay leaves for his brow?"
"His countrywomen should all unite to do it, Victorine--for he is going
out to battle for them all--every village girl, whose lover is still
left to walk with her on the Sabbath evening--every young wife, who can
still lay her baby in her husband's arms--every mother, who still
rejoices in the smile of her stalwart son; they should all unite to
wreath a crown for the brow of Henri Larochejaquelin.
Pages:
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137