"
"Don't say that," replied Raynal, quite misunderstanding him. "It is a
soldier's end: I never desired nor hoped a better: only, of course, I
feel sad. You are a happy fellow, to have a child and to live to see it,
and her you love."
"Oh, yes, I am very happy," replied the poor fellow, his lip quivering.
"Watch over all those poor women, comrade, and sometimes speak to them
of me. It is foolish, but we like to be remembered."
"Yes! but do not let us speak of that. Raynal, you and I were
lieutenants together; do you remember saving my life in the Arno?"
"Yes."
"Then promise me, if you should live, to remember not our quarrel of
to-day, nor anything; but only those early days, AND THIS AFTERNOON."
"I do."
"Your hand, comrade."
"There, comrade, there."
They wrung one another's hands, and turned away and hid their faces from
each other, for their eyes were moist.
"This won't do, comrade, I must go. I shall attack from your position.
So I shall go down the line, and bring the men up. Meantime, pick me
your detachment. Give me a good spice of veterans.
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