" And Canaples's grey eyes
shot an almost furtive glance of inquiry in my direction. A second glance
followed the first and the Chevalier's brows were knit. Then he came a
step nearer, scanning my face.
"Surely, surely, Monsieur," he exclaimed before Andrea had time to answer
him. "Were you not at Rocroi?"
"Your memory flatters me, Monsieur," I replied with a laugh. "I was indeed
at Rocroi--captain in the regiment of ch?vaux-l?gers whereof you were
Mestre de Champ."
"His name," said Andrea, "is Gaston de Luynes, my very dear friend,
counsellor, and, I might almost say, protector."
"Pardieu, yes! Gaston de Luynes!" he ejaculated, seizing my hand in an
affectionate grip. "But how have you fared since Rocroi was fought? For a
soldier of such promise, one might have predicted great things in ten
years."
"H?las, Monsieur! I was dismissed the service after Senlac."
"Dismissed the service!"
"Pah!" I laughed, not without bitterness, 't is a long story and an ugly
one, divided 'twixt the dice-box, the bottle, and the scabbard. Ten years
ago I was a promising young captain, ardent and ambitious; to-day I am a
broken ruffler, unrecognised by my family--a man without hope, without
ambition, almost without honour.
Pages:
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107