Josephine, now assuming a calmness
that was belied by the long swell of her heaving bosom.

"Of course you look on me as an enemy."

"How can I do otherwise, sir? yet perhaps I ought not. You did not know
us. You just wanted an estate, I suppose--and--oh!"

"Well, don't cry; and let us come to the point, since I am a man of few
words."

"If you please, sir. My mother may miss me."

"Well, I was in position on your flank when the notary delivered his
fire. And I saw the old woman's distress."

"Ah, sir!"

"When you came flying out I followed to say a good word to you. I could
not catch you. I listened while you prayed to the Virgin. That was not a
soldier-like trick, you will say. I confess it."

"It matters little, sir, and you heard nothing I blush for."

"No! by St. Denis; quite the contrary. Well, to the point. Young lady,
you love your mother."

"What has she on earth now but her children's love?"

"Now look here, young lady, I had a mother; I loved her in my humdrum
way very dearly. She promised me faithfully not to die till I should be
a colonel; and she went and died before I was a commandant, even; just
before, too."

"Then I pity you," murmured Josephine; and her soft purple eye began to
dwell on him with less repugnance.

"Thank you for that word, my good young lady," said Raynal. "Now, I
declare, you are the first that has said that word to me about my losing
the true friend, that nursed me on her knee, and pinched and pinched to
make a man of me. I should like to tell you about her and me."

"I shall feel honored," said Josephine, politely, but with considerable
restraint.

Then he told her all about how he had vexed her when he was a boy, and
gone for a soldier, though she was all for trade, and how he had
been the more anxious to see her enjoy his honors and success. "And,
mademoiselle," said he, appealingly, "the day this epaulet was put on my
shoulder in Italy, she died in Paris. Ah! how could you have the heart
to do that, my old woman?"

The soldier's mustache quivered, and he turned away brusquely, and
took several steps. Then he came back to Josephine, and to his infinite
surprise saw that her purple eyes were thick with tears. "What? you are
within an inch of crying for my mother, you who have your own trouble at
this hour."

"Monsieur, our situations are so alike, I may well spare some little
sympathy for your misfortune."

"Thank you, my good young lady. Well, then, to busi