She could not persist in injustice,
yet she did not want Josephine to hear.
"Then say no more about it; there's my hand. You are not a soldier, and
did not know what you were talking about."
"I am very sorry I spoke so harshly to you. But you understand. How you
look; how you pant."
"There, I will show you I forgive you. These epaulets, dear, I have
never put them on. I said, no; Josephine shall put them on for me. I
will take honor as well as happiness from her dear hand. But you are her
sister, and what are epaulets compared with what she will give me? You
shall put them on, dear. Come, then you will be sure I bear no malice."
Rose, faint at heart, consented in silence, and fastened on the
epaulets. "Yes, Camille!" she cried, with sudden terror, "think of
glory, now; nothing but glory."
"No one thinks of it more. But to-day how can I think of it, how can I
give her a rival? To-day I am all love. Rose, no man ever loved a human
creature as I love Josephine. Your mother is well, dear? All are well
at Beaurepaire? Oh, where is she all this time? in the house?" He was
moving quickly towards the house; but Rose instinctively put out her
hand to stop him.
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