e Revolution," said she, with an air
of perfect simplicity, "and my mother sang in the chorus. My father, who
was leader of the figures on the stage, happened to be present at the
siege of the Bastille. He was recognized by some of the assailants, who
asked him whether he could not lead a real attack, since he was used to
leading such enterprises on the boards. My father was brave; he accepted
the post, led the insurgents, and was rewarded by the nomination to the
rank of captain in the army of Sambre-et-Meuse, where he distinguished
himself so far as to rise rapidly to be a colonel. But at Lutzen he was
so badly wounded that, after a year's sufferings, he died in Paris.--The
Bourbons returned; my mother could obtain no pension, and we fell into
such abject misery that we were compelled to work for our living. For
some time past she has been ailing, poor dear, and I have never known
her so little resigned; she complains a good deal, and, indeed, I cannot
wonder, for she has known the pleasures of an easy life. For my part,
I cannot pine for delights I have never known, I have but one thing to
wish for."

"And that is?" said Roger eagerly, as if roused from a dream.

"That women may continue to wear embroidered net dresses, so that I may
never lack work."

The frankness of this confession interested the young man, who looked
with less hostile eyes on Madame Crochard as she slowly made her way
back to them.

"Well, children, have you had a long talk?" said she, with a
half-laughing, half-indulgent air. "When I think, Monsieur Roger, that
the 'little Corporal' has sat where you are sitting," she went on after
a pause. "Poor man! how my husband worshiped him! Ah! Crochard did well
to die, for he could not have borne to think of him where _they_ have
sent him!"

Roger put his finger to his lips, and the good woman went on very
gravely, with a shake of her head:

"All right, mouth shut and tongue still! But," added she, unhooking a
bit of her bodice, and showing a ribbon and cross tied round her neck by
a piece of black ribbon, "they shall never hinder me from wearing what
_he_ gave to my poor Crochard, and I will have it buried with me."

On hearing this speech, which at that time was regarded as seditious,
Roger interrupted the old lady by rising suddenly, and they returned to
the village through the park walks. The young man left them for a
few minutes while he went to order a meal at the best eating-house
in Tave