So I say no more at present: it is
a standing offer. Take a day to consider. Take two if you like. I must
go to the barracks; good-day."
"Oh! this must be put an end to at once," said Rose.
"With all my heart," replied Josephine; "but how?"
"Come to our mother, and settle that," said the impetuous sister, and
nearly dragged the languid one into the drawing-room.
To their surprise they found the baroness walking up and down the room
with unusual alacrity for a person of her years. She no sooner caught
sight of Josephine than she threw her arms open to her with joyful
vivacity, and kissed her warmly. "My love, you have saved us. I am a
happy old woman. If I had all France to pick from I could not have found
a man so worthy of my Josephine. He is brave, he is handsome, he is
young, he is a rising man, he is a good son, and good sons make good
husbands--and--I shall die at Beaurepaire, shall I not, Madame the
Commandante?"
Josephine held her mother round the neck, but never spoke. After a
silence she held her tighter, and cried a little.
"What is it?" asked the baroness confidentially of Rose, but without
showing any very profound concern.
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