Who could be
angry with her long? The air was no longer heavy with lies. Wretched as
she was, she breathed lighter. Joy and hope were gone. Sorrowful peace
was coming. When the heart comes to this, nothing but Time can cure; but
what will not Time do? What wounds have I seen him heal! His cures are
incredible.
The little party sat one day, peaceful, but silent and sad, in the
Pleasaunce, under the great oak.
Two soldiers came to the gate. They walked feebly, for one was lame, and
leaned upon the other, who was pale and weak, and leaned upon a stick.
"Soldiers," said Raynal, "and invalided."
"Give them food and wine," said Josephine.
Rose went towards them; but she had scarcely taken three steps ere she
cried out,--
"It is Dard! it is poor Dard! Come in, Dard, come in."
Dard limped towards them, leaning upon Sergeant La Croix. A bit of
Dard's heel had been shot away, and of La Croix's head.
Rose ran to the kitchen.
"Jacintha, bring out a table into the Pleasaunce, and something for two
guests to eat."
The soldiers came slowly to the Pleasaunce, and were welcomed, and
invited to sit down, and received with respect; for France even in that
day honored the humblest of her brave.
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