"
Then Raynal told him my story after his fashion. Of course I shall not
go and print his version; you might like his concise way better than my
verbose; and I'm not here to hold up any man's coat-tails. Short as he
made it, Edouard's eyes were moist more than once; and at the end he
caught Raynal's hand and kissed it. Then he asked time to reflect;
"for," said he, "I must try and be just."
"I'll give you an hour," said Raynal, with an air of grand munificence.
The only treasure he valued was time.
In less than an hour Edouard had solved the knot, to his entire
satisfaction; he even gave the commandant particular instructions for
carrying out his sovereign decree. Raynal received these orders from
his subordinate with that simplicity which formed part of his amazing
character, and rode home relieved of all responsibility in the matter.
COMMANDANT RAYNAL TO MADEMOISELLE DE BEAUREPAIRE.
Mademoiselle,--Before I could find time to write to our referee, news
came in that he had just broken his arm;--
"Oh! oh, dear! our poor Edouard!"
And if poor Edouard had seen the pale faces, and heard the faltering
accents, it would have reconciled him to his broken arm almost.
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