She promised me faithfully not to die till I should be
a colonel; and she went and died before I was a commandant, even; just
before, too."
"Then I pity you," murmured Josephine; and her soft purple eye began to
dwell on him with less repugnance.
"Thank you for that word, my good young lady," said Raynal. "Now, I
declare, you are the first that has said that word to me about my losing
the true friend, that nursed me on her knee, and pinched and pinched to
make a man of me. I should like to tell you about her and me."
"I shall feel honored," said Josephine, politely, but with considerable
restraint.
Then he told her all about how he had vexed her when he was a boy, and
gone for a soldier, though she was all for trade, and how he had
been the more anxious to see her enjoy his honors and success. "And,
mademoiselle," said he, appealingly, "the day this epaulet was put on my
shoulder in Italy, she died in Paris. Ah! how could you have the heart
to do that, my old woman?"
The soldier's mustache quivered, and he turned away brusquely, and
took several steps.
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