What could he mean by
saying that he was now called on to fill a high station? Who could it
be that confessed to owe so deep a debt of gratitude to the dead man?
"Had you known M. Denot long?" asked Henri, when he conceived that Plume
was sufficiently composed to. hear and answer a question.
"What's that you say his name was?" said Plume, eagerly, pricking up his
ears. "I beg your pardon, Sir, I didn't exactly catch the word."
"And didn't you know the name of the friend, whom you seem to have
valued so highly?"
"Indeed, to tell you the truth, Sir, I did not. We two used to have a
good deal of talk together: for hours and hours we've sat and talked
over this war, and he has told me much of what he used to do in Poitou,
when he served with the Vendeans; but I could never get him to tell me
his name. It was a question he didn't like to be asked; and yet I am
sure he never did anything to disgrace it."
"His name was Adolphe Denot," said Henri.
"Adolphe Denot--Adolphe Denot! well, I am very glad I know at last.
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