下载辰思小说免费APP
"Theverydevil，Lieutenant，"heblurtedout，intheinnocenceofhisheart，"isthatIhavedeclaredmyin-
tentiontogettothebottomofthisaffair。Andwhenacolonelsayssomething……yousee……"
Lieut。D\'Hubertbrokeinearnestly:"Letmeen-
treatyou，Colonel，tobesatisfiedwithtakingmywordofhonourthatIwasputintoadamnablepositionwhereIhadnooption；Ihadnochoicewhatever，consistentwithmydignityasamanandanofficer……Afterall，Colonel，thisfactistheverybottomofthisaffair。
Hereyou\'vegotit。Therestismeredetail……"
Thecolonelstoppedshort。ThereputationofLieut。
D\'Hubertforgoodsenseandgoodtemperweighedinthebalance。Acoolhead，awarmheart，openastheday。Alwayscorrectinhisbehaviour。Onehadtotrusthim。Thecolonelrepressedmanfullyanim-
mensecuriosity。"H\'m!Youaffirmthatasamanandanofficer……Nooption?Eh?"
"Asanofficer——anofficerofthe4thHussars，too，"
insistedLieut。D\'Hubert，"Ihadnot。Andthatisthebottomoftheaffair，Colonel。"
"Yes。ButstillIdon\'tseewhy，toone\'scolonel……
Acolonelisafather——quediable!"
Lieut。D\'Hubertoughtnottohavebeenallowedoutasyet。Hewasbecomingawareofhisphysicalin-
sufficiencywithhumiliationanddespair。Butthemorbidobstinacyofaninvalidpossessedhim，andatthesametimehefeltwithdismayhiseyesfillingwithwater。Thistroubleseemedtoobigtohandle。Atearfelldownthethin，palecheekofLieut。D\'Hubert。
Thecolonelturnedhisbackonhimhastily。Youcouldhaveheardapindrop。"Thisissomesillywomanstory——isitnot?"
Sayingthesewordsthechiefspunroundtoseizethetruth，whichisnotabeautifulshapelivinginawell，butashybirdbestcaughtbystratagem。Thiswasthelastmoveofthecolonel\'sdiplomacy。HesawthetruthshiningunmistakablyinthegestureofLieut。D\'Hubertraisinghisweakarmsandhiseyestoheaveninsupremeprotest。
"Notawomanaffair——eh?"growledthecolonel，staringhard。"Idon\'taskyouwhoorwhere。AllI
wanttoknowiswhetherthereisawomaninit?"
Lieut。D\'Hubert\'sarmsdropped，andhisweakvoicewaspatheticallybroken。
"Nothingofthekind，monColonel。"
"Onyourhonour?"insistedtheoldwarrior。
"Onmyhonour。"
"Verywell，"saidthecolonel，thoughtfully，andbithislip。TheargumentsofLieut。D\'Hubert，helpedbyhislikingfortheman，hadconvincedhim。Ontheotherhand，itwashighlyimproperthathisintervention，ofwhichhehadmadenosecret，shouldproducenovisibleeffect。HekeptLieut。D\'Hubertafewminuteslonger，anddismissedhimkindly。
"Takeafewdaysmoreinbed。Lieutenant。Whatthedevildoesthesurgeonmeanbyreportingyoufitforduty?"
Oncomingoutofthecolonel\'squarters，Lieut。
D\'Hubertsaidnothingtothefriendwhowaswaitingoutsidetotakehimhome。Hesaidnothingtoanybody。
Lieut。D\'Hubertmadenoconfidences。Butontheeveningofthatdaythecolonel，strollingundertheelmsgrowingnearhisquarters，inthecompanyofhissecondincommand，openedhislips。
"I\'vegottothebottomofthisaffair，"heremarked。
Thelieut-colonel，adry，brownchipofamanwithshortside-whiskers，prickeduphisearsatthatwithoutlettingasignofcuriosityescapehim。
"It\'snotrifle，"addedthecolonel，oracularly。Theotherwaitedforalongwhilebeforehemurmured:
"Indeed，sir!"
"Notrifle，"repeatedthecolonel，lookingstraightbeforehim。"I\'ve，however，forbiddenD\'HuberteithertosendtoorreceiveachallengefromFeraudforthenexttwelvemonths。"
Hehadimaginedthisprohibitiontosavetheprestigeacolonelshouldhave。Theresultofitwastogiveanofficialsealtothemysterysurroundingthisdeadlyquarrel。Lieut。D\'Hubertrepelledbyanimpassivesilenceallattemptstowormthetruthoutofhim。Lieut。
Feraud，secretlyuneasyatfirst，regainedhisassuranceastimewenton。Hedisguisedhisignoranceofthemeaningoftheimposedtrucebyslightsardoniclaughs，asthoughhewereamusedbywhatheintendedtokeeptohimself。"Butwhatwillyoudo?"hischumsusedtoaskhim。Hecontentedhimselfbyreplying"Quivivraverra"withalittletruculentair。Andeverybodyadmiredhisdiscretion。
BeforetheendofthetruceLieut。D\'Hubertgothistroop。Thepromotionwaswellearned，butsomehownooneseemedtoexpecttheevent。WhenLieut。
Feraudheardofitatagatheringofofficers，hemutteredthroughhisteeth，"Isthatso?"Atonceheunhookedhissabrefromapegnearthedoor，buckleditoncare-
fully，andleftthecompanywithoutanotherword。Hewalkedhomewithmeasuredsteps，struckalightwithhisflintandsteel，andlithistallowcandle。Thensnatchinganunluckyglasstumbleroffthemantelpiecehedasheditviolentlyonthefloor。
NowthatD\'Hubertwasanofficerofsuperiorranktherecouldbenoquestionofaduel。Neitherofthemcouldsendorreceiveachallengewithoutrenderinghimselfamenabletoacourt-martial。Itwasnottobethoughtof。Lieut。Feraud，whoformanydaysnowhadexperiencednorealdesiretomeetLieut。D\'Hubertarmsinhand，chafedagainatthesystematicinjusticeoffate。
"Doeshethinkhewillescapemeinthatway?"hethought，indignantly。Hesawinthispromotionanintrigue，aconspiracy，acowardlymanoeuvre。Thatcolonelknewwhathewasdoing。Hehadhastenedtorecommendhisfavouriteforastep。Itwasoutrageousthatamanshouldbeabletoavoidtheconsequencesofhisactsinsuchadarkandtortuousmanner。
Ofahappy-go-luckydisposition，ofatemperamentmorepugnaciousthanmilitary，Lieut。Feraudhadbeencontenttogiveandreceiveblowsforsheerloveofarmedstrife，andwithoutmuchthoughtofadvance-
ment；butnowanurgentdesiretogetonsprangupinhisbreast。Thisfighterbyvocationresolvedinhismindtoseizeshowyoccasionsandtocourtthefavour-
ableopinionofhischiefslikeamereworldling。Heknewhewasasbraveasanyone，andneverdoubtedhispersonalcharm。Nevertheless，neitherthebraverynorthecharmseemedtoworkveryswiftly。Lieut。Feraud\'sengaging，carelesstruculenceofabeausabreurunder-
wentachange。Hebegantomakebitterallusionsto"cleverfellowswhostickatnothingtogeton。"Thearmywasfullofthem，hewouldsay；youhadonlytolookround。Butallthetimehehadinviewonepersononly，hisadversary，D\'Hubert。Onceheconfidedtoanappreciativefriend:"Yousee，Idon\'tknowhowtofawnontherightsortofpeople。Itisn\'tinmycharac-
ter。"
HedidnotgethissteptillaweekafterAusterlitz。
TheLightCavalryoftheGrandArmyhaditshandsveryfullofinterestingworkforalittlewhile。DirectlythepressureofprofessionaloccupationhadbeeneasedCaptainFeraudtookmeasurestoarrangeameetingwithoutlossoftime。"Iknowmybird，"heobserved，grimly。"IfIdon\'tlooksharphewilltakecaretogethimselfpromotedovertheheadsofadozenbettermenthanhimself。He\'sgottheknackforthatsortofthing。"
ThisduelwasfoughtinSilesia。Ifnotfoughttoafinish，itwas，atanyrate，foughttoastandstill。
Theweaponwasthecavalrysabre，andtheskill，thescience，thevigour，andthedeterminationdisplayedbytheadversariescompelledtheadmirationofthebe-
holders。ItbecamethesubjectoftalkonbothshoresoftheDanube，andasfarasthegarrisonsofGratzandLaybach。Theycrossedbladesseventimes。Bothhadmanycutswhichbledprofusely。Bothrefusedtohavethecombatstopped，timeaftertime，withwhatap-
pearedthemostdeadlyanimosity。ThisappearancewascausedonthepartofCaptainD\'Hubertbyarationaldesiretobedoneonceforallwiththisworry；onthepartofCaptainFeraudbyatremendousexaltationofhispugnaciousinstinctsandtheincitementofwoundedvanity。Atlast，dishevelled，theirshirtsinrags，coveredwithgoreandhardlyabletostand，theywereledawayforciblybytheirmarvellingandhorrifiedseconds。
Lateron，besiegedbycomradesavidofdetails，thesegentlemendeclaredthattheycouldnothaveallowedthatsortofhackingtogoonindefinitely。Askedwhetherthequarrelwassettledthistime，theygaveitoutastheirconvictionthatitwasadifferencewhichcouldonlybesettledbyoneofthepartiesremaininglifelessontheground。Thesensationspreadfromarmycorpstoarmycorps，andpenetratedatlasttothesmallestdetachmentsofthetroopscantonedbe-
tweentheRhineandtheSave。InthecafesinViennaitwasgenerallyestimated，fromdetailstohand，thattheadversarieswouldbeabletomeetagaininthreeweeks\'timeontheoutside。Somethingreallytranscendentinthewayofduellingwasexpected。
Theseexpectationswerebroughttonaughtbythenecessitiesoftheservicewhichseparatedthetwoofficers。Noofficialnoticehadbeentakenoftheirquarrel。Itwasnowthepropertyofthearmy，andnottobemeddledwithlightly。Butthestoryoftheduel，orrathertheirduellingpropensities，musthavestoodsomewhatinthewayoftheiradvancement，becausetheywerestillcaptainswhentheycametogetheragainduringthewarwithPrussia。DetachednorthafterJena，withthearmycommandedbyMarshalBerna-
dotte，PrinceofPonteCorvo，theyenteredLubecktogether。
ItwasonlyaftertheoccupationofthattownthatCaptainFeraudfoundleisuretoconsiderhisfuturecon-
ductinviewofthefactthatCaptainD\'Huberthadbeengiventhepositionofthirdaide-de-camptothemarshal。Heconsidereditagreatpartofanight，andinthemorningsummonedtwosympatheticfriends。
"I\'vebeenthinkingitovercalmly，"hesaid，gazingatthemwithblood-shot，tiredeyes。"IseethatImustgetridofthatintriguingpersonage。Herehe\'smanagedtosneakontothepersonalstaffofthemarshal。It\'sadirectprovocationtome。Ican\'ttolerateasituationinwhichIamexposedanydaytoreceiveanorderthroughhim。AndGodknowswhatorder，too!Thatsortofthinghashappenedoncebefore——andthat\'soncetoooften。Heunderstandsthisperfectly，neverfear。I
can\'ttellyouanymore。Nowyouknowwhatitisyouhavetodo。"
ThisencountertookplaceoutsidethetownofLubeck，onveryopenground，selectedwithspecialcareindeferencetothegeneralsentimentofthecavalrydivisionbelongingtothearmycorps，thatthistimethetwoofficersshouldmeetonhorseback。Afterall，thisduelwasacavalryaffair，andtopersistinfightingonfootwouldlooklikeaslightonone\'sownarmoftheservice。Theseconds，startledbytheunusualnatureofthesuggestion，hastenedtorefertotheirprincipals。
CaptainFeraudjumpedatitwithalacrity。Forsomeobscurereason，depending，nodoubt，onhispsychology，heimaginedhimselfinvincibleonhorseback。Allalonewithinthefourwallsofhisroomherubbedhishandsandmutteredtriumphantly，"Aha!myprettystaffofficer，I\'vegotyounow。"
CaptainD\'Hubertonhisside，afterstaringhardforaconsiderabletimeathisfriends，shruggedhisshouldersslightly。Thisaffairhadhopelesslyandunreasonablycomplicatedhisexistenceforhim。Oneabsurditymoreorlessinthedevelopmentdidnotmatter——allabsurditywasdistastefultohim；but，urbaneasever，heproducedafaintlyironicalsmile，andsaidinhiscalmvoice，"Itcertainlywilldoawaytosomeextentwiththemonot-
onyofthething。"
Whenleftalone，hesatdownatatableandtookhisheadintohishands。Hehadnotsparedhimselfoflateandthemarshalhadbeenworkingallhisaides-de-
campparticularlyhard。Thelastthreeweeksofcampaigninginhorribleweatherhadaffectedhishealth。
Whenover-tiredhesufferedfromastitchinhiswoundedside，andthatuncomfortablesensationalwaysdepressedhim。"It\'sthatbrute\'sdoing，too，"hethoughtbitterly。
Thedaybeforehehadreceivedaletterfromhome，announcingthathisonlysisterwasgoingtobemarried。
Hereflectedthatfromthetimeshewasnineteenandhetwenty-six，whenhewentawaytogarrisonlifeinStras-
bourg，hehadhadbuttwoshortglimpsesofher。Theyhadbeengreatfriendsandconfidants；andnowshewasgoingtobegivenawaytoamanwhomhedidnotknow——averyworthyfellownodoubt，butnothalfgoodenoughforher。HewouldneverseehisoldLeonieagain。Shehadacapablelittlehead，andplentyoftact；shewouldknowhowtomanagethefellow，tobesure。Hewaseasyinhismindaboutherhappinessbuthefeltoustedfromthefirstplaceinherthoughtswhichhadbeenhiseversincethegirlcouldspeak。A
melancholyregretofthedaysofhischildhoodsettleduponCaptainD\'Hubert，thirdaide-de-camptothePrinceofPonteCorvo。
Hethrewasidetheletterofcongratulationhehadbeguntowriteasindutybound，butwithoutenthusi-
asm。Hetookafreshpieceofpaper，andtracedonitthewords:"Thisismylastwillandtestament。"Look-
ingatthesewordshegavehimselfuptounpleasantre-
flection；apresentimentthathewouldneverseethescenesofhischildhoodweigheddowntheequablespiritsofCaptainD\'Hubert。Hejumpedup，pushinghischairback，yawnedelaboratelyinsignthathedidn\'tcareanythingforpresentiments，andthrowinghimselfonthebedwenttosleep。Duringthenightheshiveredfromtimetotimewithoutwakingup。Inthemorningherodeoutoftownbetweenhistwoseconds，talkingofindifferentthings，andlookingrightandleftwithap-
parentdetachmentintotheheavymorningmistsshroudingtheflatgreenfieldsborderedbyhedges。Heleapedaditch，andsawtheformsofmanymountedmenmovinginthefog。"Wearetofightbeforeagallery，itseems，"hemutteredtohimself，bitterly。
Hissecondswereratherconcernedatthestateoftheatmosphere，butpresentlyapale，sicklysunstruggledoutofthelowvapours，andCaptainD\'Hubertmadeout，inthedistance，threehorsemenridingalittleapartfromtheothers。ItwasCaptainFeraudandhisseconds。Hedrewhissabre，andassuredhimselfthatitwasproperlyfastenedtohiswrist。Andnowtheseconds，whohadbeenstandinginclosegroupwiththeheadsoftheirhorsestogether，separatedataneasycanter，leavingalarge，clearfieldbetweenhimandhisadversary。CaptainD\'Hubertlookedatthepalesun，atthedismalfields，andtheimbecilityoftheimpendingfightfilledhimwithdesolation。Fromadistantpartofthefieldastentorianvoiceshoutedcommandsatproperintervals:Aupas——Autrot——Charrrgez!……Pre-
sentimentsofdeathdon\'tcometoamanfornothing，hethoughtattheverymomentheputspurstohishorse。
Andthereforehewasmorethansurprisedwhen，attheveryfirstset-to，CaptainFeraudlaidhimselfopentoacutovertheforehead，whichblindinghimwithblood，endedthecombatalmostbeforeithadfairlybegun。Itwasimpossibletogoon。CaptainD\'Hubert，leavinghisenemyswearinghorriblyandreelinginthesaddlebetweenhistwoappalledfriends，leapedtheditchagainintotheroadandtrottedhomewithhistwoseconds，whoseemedratherawestruckatthespeedyissueofthatencounter。IntheeveningCaptainD\'Hubertfinishedthecongratulatoryletteronhissister\'smarriage。
Hefinisheditlate。Itwasalongletter。CaptainD\'Hubertgavereinstohisfancy。Hetoldhissisterthathewouldfeelratherlonelyafterthisgreatchangeinherlife；butthenthedaywouldcomeforhim，too，togetmarried。Infact，hewasthinkingalreadyofthetimewhentherewouldbenoonelefttofightwithinEuropeandtheepochofwarswouldbeover。"I
expectthen，"hewrote，"tobewithinmeasurabledis-
tanceofamarshal\'sbaton，andyouwillbeanex-
periencedmarriedwoman。Youshalllookoutawifeforme。Iwillbe，probably，baldbythen，andalittleblase。Ishallrequireayounggirl，prettyofcourse，andwithalargefortune，whichshouldhelpmetoclosemygloriouscareerinthesplendourbefittingmyexaltedrank。"Heendedwiththeinformationthathehadjustgivenalessontoaworrying，quarrelsomefellowwhoimaginedhehadagrievanceagainsthim。"Butifyou，inthedepthsofyourprovince，"hecontinued，"everhearitsaidthatyourbrotherisofaquarrelsomedisposition，don\'tyoubelieveitonanyaccount。Thereisnosayingwhatgossipfromthearmymayreachyourinnocentears。Whateveryouhearyoumayrestassuredthatyourever-lovingbrotherisnotaduellist。"ThenCaptainD\'Hubertcrumpleduptheblanksheetofpaperheadedwiththewords"Thisismylastwillandtesta-
ment，"andthrewitinthefirewithagreatlaughathimself。Hedidn\'tcareasnapforwhatthatlunaticcoulddo。Hehadsuddenlyacquiredtheconvictionthathisadversarywasutterlypowerlesstoaffecthislifeinanysortofway；except，perhaps，inthewayofputtingaspecialexcitementintothedelightful，gayintervalsbetweenthecampaigns。
Fromthisontherewere，however，tobenopeacefulintervalsinthecareerofCaptainD\'Hubert。HesawthefieldsofEylauandFriedland，marchedandcounter-
marchedinthesnow，inthemud，inthedustofPolishplains，pickingupdistinctionandadvancementonalltheroadsofNorth-easternEurope。Meantime，Cap-
tainFeraud，despatchedsouthwardswithhisregiment，madeunsatisfactorywarinSpain。ItwasonlywhenthepreparationsfortheRussiancampaignbeganthathewasorderednorthagain。Heleftthecountryofmantillasandorangeswithoutregret。
ThefirstsignsofanotunbecomingbaldnessaddedtotheloftyaspectofColonelD\'Hubert\'sforehead。
Thisfeaturewasnolongerwhiteandsmoothasinthedaysofhisyouth；thekindlyopenglanceofhisblueeyeshadgrownalittlehardasiffrommuchpeeringthroughthesmokeofbattles。TheebonycroponColonelFeraud\'shead，coarseandcrinklylikeacapofhorsehair，showedmanysilverthreadsaboutthetemples。Adetestablewarfareofambushesandin-
glorioussurpriseshadnotimprovedhistemper。Thebeak-likecurveofhisnosewasunpleasantlysetoffbyadeepfoldoneachsideofhismouth。Theroundorbitsofhiseyesradiatedwrinkles。Morethaneverhere-
calledanirritableandstaringbird——somethinglikeacrossbetweenaparrotandanowl。Hewasstillex-
tremelyoutspokeninhisdislikeof"intriguingfellows。"
Heseizedeveryopportunitytostatethathedidnotpickuphisrankintheante-roomsofmarshals。Theunluckypersons，civilormilitary，who，withanin-
tentionofbeingpleasant，beggedColonelFeraudtotellthemhowhecamebythatveryapparentscarontheforehead，wereastonishedtofindthemselvessnubbedinvariousways，someofwhichweresimplyrudeandothersmysteriouslysardonic。Youngofficerswerewarnedkindlybytheirmoreexperiencedcomradesnottostareopenlyatthecolonel\'sscar。Butindeedanofficerneedhavebeenveryyounginhisprofessionnottohaveheardthelegendarytaleofthatdueloriginatinginamysterious，unforgivableoffence。
III
TheretreatfromMoscowsubmergedallprivatefeelingsinaseaofdisasterandmisery。Colonelswithoutregiments，D\'HubertandFeraudcarriedthemusketintheranksoftheso-calledsacredbattalion——abattalionrecruitedfromofficersofallarmswhohadnolongeranytroopstolead。
Inthatbattalionpromotedcolonelsdiddutyassergeants；thegeneralscaptainedthecompanies；amarshalofFrance，PrinceoftheEmpire，commandedthewhole。Allhadprovidedthemselveswithmusketspickedupontheroad，andwithcartridgestakenfromthedead。Inthegeneraldestructionofthebondsofdisciplineanddutyholdingtogetherthecompanies，thebattalions，theregiments，thebrigades，anddivisionsofanarmedhost，thisbodyofmenputitsprideinpre-
servingsomesemblanceoforderandformation。Theonlystragglerswerethosewhofellouttogiveuptothefrosttheirexhaustedsouls。Theyploddedon，andtheirpassagedidnotdisturbthemortalsilenceoftheplains，shiningwiththelividlightofsnowsunderaskythecolourofashes。Whirlwindsranalongthefields，brokeagainstthedarkcolumn，envelopeditinatur-
moilofflyingicicles，andsubsided，disclosingitcreepingonitstragicwaywithouttheswingandrhythmofthemilitarypace。Itstruggledonwards，themenex-
changingneitherwordsnorlooks；wholeranksmarchedtouchingelbow，dayafterdayandneverraisingtheireyesfromtheground，asiflostindespairingreflections。
Inthedumb，blackforestsofpinesthecrackingofover-
loadedbrancheswastheonlysoundtheyheard。Oftenfromdaybreaktodusknoonespokeinthewholecolumn。Itwaslikeamacabremarchofstrugglingcorpsestowardsadistantgrave。OnlyanalarmofCossackscouldrestoretotheireyesasemblanceofmartialresolution。Thebattalionfacedaboutanddeployed，orformedsquareundertheendlessflutteringofsnowflakes。Acloudofhorsemenwithfurcapsontheirheads，levelledlonglances，andyelled"Hurrah!
Hurrah!"aroundtheirmenacingimmobilitywhence，withmuffleddetonations，hundredsofdarkredflamesdartedthroughtheairthickwithfallingsnow。Inaveryfewmomentsthehorsemenwoulddisappear，asifcarriedoffyellinginthegale，andthesacredbattalionstandingstill，aloneintheblizzard，heardonlythehowlingofthewind，whoseblastssearchedtheirveryhearts。Then，withacryortwoof"Vivel\'Empereur!"
itwouldresumeitsmarch，leavingbehindafewlife-
lessbodieslyinghuddledup，tinyblackspecksonthewhiteimmensityofthesnows。
Thoughoftenmarchingintheranks，orskirmishinginthewoodssidebyside，thetwoofficersignoredeachother；thisnotsomuchfrominimicalintentionasfromaveryrealindifference。Alltheirstoreofmoralenergywasexpendedinresistingtheterrificenmityofnatureandthecrushingsenseofirretrievabledisaster。Tothelasttheycountedamongthemostactive，theleastdemoralizedofthebattalion；theirvigorousvitalityinvestedthembothwiththeappearanceofanheroicpairintheeyesoftheircomrades。Andtheyneverexchangedmorethanacasualwordortwo，exceptoneday，whenskirmishinginfrontofthebattalionagainstaworryingattackofcavalry，theyfoundthemselvescutoffinthewoodsbyasmallpartyofCossacks。Ascoreoffur-capped，hairyhorsemenrodetoandfro，brandish-
ingtheirlancesinominoussilence；butthetwoofficershadnomindtolaydowntheirarms，andColonelFeraudsuddenlyspokeupinahoarse，growlingvoice，bringinghisfirelocktotheshoulder。"Youtakethenearestbrute，ColonelD\'Hubert；I\'llsettlethenextone。Iamabettershotthanyouare。"
ColonelD\'Hubertnoddedoverhislevelledmusket。
Theirshoulderswerepressedagainstthetrunkofalargetree；ontheirfrontenormoussnowdriftsprotectedthemfromadirectcharge。Twocarefullyaimedshotsrangoutinthefrostyair，twoCossacksreeledintheirsaddles。Therest，notthinkingthegamegoodenough，closedroundtheirwoundedcomradesandgallopedawayoutofrange。Thetwoofficersmanagedtorejointheirbattalionhaltedforthenight。Duringthatafter-
noontheyhadleaneduponeachothermorethanonce，andtowardstheend，ColonelD\'Hubert，whoselonglegsgavehimanadvantageinwalkingthroughsoftsnow，peremptorilytookthemusketofColonelFeraudfromhimandcarrieditonhisshoulder，usinghisownasastaff。
Ontheoutskirtsofavillagehalfburiedinthesnowanoldwoodenbarnburnedwithaclearandanim-
menseflame。Thesacredbattalionofskeletons，muffledinrags，crowdedgreedilythewindwardside，stretchinghundredsofnumbed，bonyhandstotheblaze。Nobodyhadnotedtheirapproach。Beforeenteringthecircleoflightplayingonthesunken，glassy-
eyed，starvedfaces，ColonelD\'Hubertspokeinhisturn:
"Here\'syourmusket，ColonelFeraud。Icanwalkbetterthanyou。"
ColonelFeraudnodded，andpushedontowardsthewarmthofthefierceflames。ColonelD\'Hubertwasmoredeliberate，butnotthelessbentongettingaplaceinthefrontrank。Thosetheyshoulderedasidetriedtogreetwithafaintcheerthereappearanceofthetwoindomitablecompanionsinactivityandendurance。
Thosemanlyqualitieshadneverperhapsreceivedahighertributethanthisfeebleacclamation。
ThisisthefaithfulrecordofspeechesexchangedduringtheretreatfromMoscowbyColonelsFeraudandD\'Hubert。ColonelFeraud\'staciturnitywastheout-
comeofconcentratedrage。Short，hairy，blackfaced，withlayersofgrimeandthethicksproutingofawirybeard，afrost-bittenhandwrappedupinfilthyragscarriedinasling，heaccusedfateofunparalleledperfidytowardsthesublimeManofDestiny。ColonelD\'Hubert，hislongmoustachespendentiniciclesoneachsideofhiscrackedbluelips，hiseyelidsinflamedwiththeglareofsnows，theprincipalpartofhiscostumeconsistingofasheepskincoatlootedwithdifficultyfromthefrozencorpseofacampfollowerfoundinanabandonedcart，tookamorethoughtfulviewofevents。
Hisregularlyhandsomefeatures，nowreducedtomerebonylinesandfleshlesshollows，lookedoutofawoman\'sblackvelvethood，overwhichwasrammedforciblyacockedhatpickedupunderthewheelsofanemptyarmyfourgon，whichmusthavecontainedatonetimesomegeneralofficer\'sluggage。Thesheepskincoatbeingshortforamanofhisinchesendedveryhighup，andtheskinofhislegs，bluewiththecold，showedthroughthetattersofhisnethergarments。Thisunderthecircumstancesprovokedneitherjeersnorpity。Noonecaredhowthenextmanfeltorlooked。
ColonelD\'Huberthimself，hardenedtoexposure，suf-
feredmainlyinhisself-respectfromthelamentablein-
decencyofhiscostume。Athoughtlesspersonmaythinkthatwithawholehostofinanimatebodiesbe-
strewingthepathofretreattherecouldnothavebeenmuchdifficultyinsupplyingthedeficiency。Buttolootapairofbreechesfromafrozencorpseisnotsoeasyasitmayappeartoameretheorist。Itrequirestimeandlabour。Youmustremainbehindwhileyourcompanionsmarchon。ColonelD\'Huberthadhisscruplesastofallingout。Oncehehadsteppedasidehecouldnotbesureofeverrejoininghisbattalion；andtheghastlyintimacyofawrestlingmatchwiththefrozendeadopposingtheunyieldingrigidityofirontoyourviolencewasrepugnanttothedelicacyofhisfeelings。Luckily，oneday，grubbinginamoundofsnowbetweenthehutsofavillageinthehopeoffindingthereafrozenpotatoorsomevegetablegarbagehecouldputbetweenhislongandshakyteeth，ColonelD\'HubertuncoveredacoupleofmatsofthesortRussianpeasantsusetolinethesidesoftheircartswith。
These，beatenfreeoffrozensnow，bentabouthiselegantpersonandfastenedsolidlyroundhiswaist，madeabell-shapednethergarment，asortofstiffpetti-
coat，whichrenderedColonelD\'Hubertaperfectlydecent，butamuchmorenoticeablefigurethanbefore。
Thusaccoutred，hecontinuedtoretreat，neverdoubt-
ingofhispersonalescape，butfullofothermisgivings。
Theearlybuoyancyofhisbeliefinthefuturewasdestroyed。Iftheroadofgloryledthroughsuchunfore-
seenpassages，heaskedhimself——forhewasreflective——
whethertheguidewasaltogethertrustworthy。Itwasapatrioticsadness，notunmingledwithsomepersonalconcern，andquiteunliketheunreasoningindignationagainstmenandthingsnursedbyColonelFeraud。
RecruitinghisstrengthinalittleGermantownforthreeweeks，ColonelD\'Hubertwassurprisedtodiscoverwithinhimselfaloveofrepose。Hisreturningvigourwasstrangelypacificinitsaspirations。Hemeditatedsilentlyuponthisbizarrechangeofmood。Nodoubtmanyofhisbrotherofficersoffieldrankwentthroughthesamemoralexperience。Butthesewerenotthetimestotalkofit。InoneofhislettershomeColonelD\'Hubertwrote，"Allyourplans，mydearLeonie，formarryingmetothecharminggirlyouhavediscoveredinyourneighbourhood，seemfartheroffthanever。
Peaceisnotyet。Europewantsanotherlesson。Itwillbeahardtaskforus，butitshallbedone，becausetheEmperorisinvincible。"
ThuswroteColonelD\'HubertfromPomeraniatohismarriedsisterLeonie，settledinthesouthofFrance。
AndsofarthesentimentsexpressedwouldnothavebeendisownedbyColonelFeraud，whowrotenoletterstoanybody，whosefatherhadbeeninlifeanilliterateblacksmith，whohadnosisterorbrother，andwhomnoonedesiredardentlytopairoffforalifeofpeacewithacharmingyounggirl。ButColonelD\'Hubert\'slettercontainedalsosomephilosophicalgeneralitiesupontheuncertaintyofallpersonalhopes，whenboundupentirelywiththeprestigiousfortuneofoneincompar-
ablygreatitistrue，yetstillremainingbutamaninhisgreatness。ThisviewwouldhaveappearedrankheresytoColonelFeraud。Somemelancholyfore-
bodingsofamilitarykind，expressedcautiously，wouldhavebeenpronouncedasnothingshortofhightreasonbyColonelFeraud。ButLeonie，thesisterofColonelD\'Hubert，readthemwithprofoundsatisfaction，and，foldingtheletterthoughtfully，remarkedtoherselfthat"Armandwaslikelytoproveeventuallyasensiblefellow。"SincehermarriageintoaSouthernfamilyshehadbecomeaconvincedbelieverinthereturnofthelegitimateking。Hopefulandanxioussheofferedprayersnightandmorning，andburntcandlesinchurchesforthesafetyandprosperityofherbrother。
Shehadeveryreasontosupposethatherprayerswereheard。ColonelD\'HubertpassedthroughLutzen，Bautzen，andLeipsiclosingnolimb，andacquiringadditionalreputation。Adaptinghisconducttotheneedsofthatdesperatetime，hehadnevervoicedhismisgivings。HeconcealedthemunderacheerfulcourtesyofsuchpleasantcharacterthatpeoplewereinclinedtoaskthemselveswithwonderwhetherColonelD\'Hubertwasawareofanydisasters。Notonlyhismanners，butevenhisglancesremaineduntroubled。
Thesteadyamenityofhisblueeyesdisconcertedallgrumblers，andmadedespairitselfpause。
ThisbearingwasremarkedfavourablybytheEmperorhimself；forColonelD\'Hubert，attachednowtotheMajor-General\'sstaff，cameonseveraloccasionsundertheimperialeye。ButitexasperatedthehigherstrungnatureofColonelFeraud。PassingthroughMagdeburgonservice，thislastallowedhimself，whileseatedgloomilyatdinnerwiththeCommandantdePlace，tosayofhislife-longadversary:"ThismandoesnotlovetheEmperor，"andhiswordswerereceivedbytheotherguestsinprofoundsilence。ColonelFeraud，troubledinhisconscienceattheatrocityoftheasper-
sion，felttheneedtobackitupbyagoodargument。
"Ioughttoknowhim，"hecried，addingsomeoaths。
"Onestudiesone\'sadversary。Ihavemethimonthegroundhalfadozentimes，asallthearmyknows。
Whatmoredoyouwant?Ifthatisn\'topportunityenoughforanyfooltosizeuphisman，maythedeviltakemeifIcantellwhatis。"Andhelookedaroundthetable，obstinateandsombre。
LateroninParis，whileextremelybusyreorganizinghisregiment，ColonelFeraudlearnedthatColonelD\'Huberthadbeenmadeageneral。Heglaredathisinformantincredulously，thenfoldedhisarmsandturnedawaymuttering，"Nothingsurprisesmeonthepartofthatman。"
Andaloudheadded，speakingoverhisshoulder，"YouwouldobligemegreatlybytellingGeneralD\'Hubertatthefirstopportunitythathisadvancementsaveshimforatimefromaprettyhotencounter。I
wasonlywaitingforhimtoturnuphere。"
Theotherofficerremonstrated。
"Couldyouthinkofit，ColonelFeraud，atthistime，wheneverylifeshouldbeconsecratedtothegloryandsafetyofFrance?"
Butthestrainofunhappinesscausedbymilitaryre-
verseshadspoiledColonelFeraud\'scharacter。Likemanyothermen，hewasrenderedwickedbymisfortune。
"IcannotconsiderGeneralD\'Hubert\'sexistenceofanyaccounteitherforthegloryorsafetyofFrance，"
hesnappedviciously。"Youdon\'tpretend，perhaps，toknowhimbetterthanIdo——Iwhohavemethimhalfadozentimesontheground——doyou?"
Hisinterlocutor，ayoungman，wassilenced。ColonelFeraudwalkedupanddowntheroom。
"Thisisnotthetimetomincematters，"hesaid。"I
can\'tbelievethatthatmaneverlovedtheEmperor。
Hepickeduphisgeneral\'sstarsunderthebootsofMarshalBerthier。Verywell。I\'llgetmineinanotherfashion，andthenweshallsettlethisbusinesswhichhasbeendraggingontoolong。"
GeneralD\'Hubert，informedindirectlyofColonelFeraud\'sattitude，madeagestureasiftoputasideanimportunateperson。Histhoughtsweresolicitedbygravercares。Hehadhadnotimetogoandseehisfamily。Hissister，whoseroyalisthopeswererisinghighereveryday，thoughproudofherbrother，re-
grettedhisrecentadvancementinameasure，becauseitputonhimaprominentmarkoftheusurper\'sfavour，whichlateroncouldhaveanadverseinfluenceuponhiscareer。Hewrotetoherthatnoonebutaninveterateenemycouldsayhehadgothispromotionbyfavour。
Astohiscareer，heassuredherthathelookednofartherforwardintothefuturethanthenextbattlefield。
BeginningthecampaignofFranceinthisdoggedspirit，GeneralD\'HubertwaswoundedontheseconddayofthebattleunderLaon。WhilebeingcarriedoffthefieldheheardthatColonelFeraud，promotedthismomenttogeneral，hadbeensenttoreplacehimattheheadofhisbrigade。Hecursedhisluckimpulsively，notbeingableatthefirstglancetodiscernallthead-
vantagesofanastywound。AndyetitwasbythisheroicmethodthatProvidencewasshapinghisfuture。
Travellingslowlysouthtohissister\'scountryhomeunderthecareofatrustyoldservant，GeneralD\'Hu-
bertwassparedthehumiliatingcontactsandtheper-
plexitiesofconductwhichassailedthemenofNapole-
onicempireatthemomentofitsdownfall。Lyinginhisbed，withthewindowsofhisroomopenwidetothesunshineofProvence，heperceivedtheundisguisedaspectoftheblessingconveyedbythatjaggedfrag-
mentofaPrussianshell，which，killinghishorseandrippingopenhisthigh，savedhimfromanactivecon-
flictwithhisconscience。Afterthelastfourteenyearsspentswordinhandinthesaddle，andwiththesenseofhisdutydonetotheveryend，GeneralD\'Hubertfoundresignationaneasyvirtue。Hissisterwasdelightedwithhisreasonableness。"Ileavemyselfaltogetherinyourhands，mydearLeonie，"hehadsaidtoher。
Hewasstilllaidupwhen，thecreditofhisbrother-
in-law\'sfamilybeingexertedonhisbehalf，hereceivedfromtheroyalgovernmentnotonlytheconfirmationofhisrank，buttheassuranceofbeingretainedontheactivelist。Tothiswasaddedanunlimitedconva-
lescentleave。TheunfavourableopinionentertainedofhiminBonapartistcircles，thoughitrestedonnoth-
ingmoresolidthantheunsupportedpronouncementofGeneralFeraud，wasdirectlyresponsibleforGeneralD\'Hubert\'sretentionontheactivelist。AstoGeneralFeraud，hisrankwasconfirmed，too。Itwasmorethanhedaredtoexpect；butMarshalSoult，thenMinisterofWartotherestoredking，waspartialtoofficerswhohadservedinSpain。Onlynoteventhemarshal\'sprotectioncouldsecureforhimactiveemployment。
Heremainedirreconcilable，idle，andsinister。Hesoughtinobscurerestaurantsthecompanyofotherhalf-payofficerswhocherisheddingybutgloriousoldtricolourcockadesintheirbreast-pockets，andbuttonedwiththeforbiddeneaglebuttonstheirshabbyuniforms，declaringthemselvestoopoortoaffordtheexpenseoftheprescribedchange。
ThetriumphantreturnfromElba，anhistoricalfactasmarvellousandincredibleastheexploitsofsomemythologicaldemi-god，foundGeneralD\'Hubertstillquiteunabletositahorse。Neithercouldhewalkverywell。Thesedisabilities，whichMadameLeonieaccountedmostlucky，helpedtokeepherbrotheroutofallpossiblemischief。Hisframeofmindatthattime，shenotedwithdismay，becameveryfarfromreason-
able。Thisgeneralofficer，stillmenacedbythelossofalimb，wasdiscoveredonenightinthestablesofthechateaubyagroom，who，seeingalight，raisedanalarmofthieves。Hiscrutchwaslyinghalf-buriedinthestrawofthelitter，andthegeneralwashoppingononeleginalooseboxaroundasnortinghorsehewastryingtosaddle。Suchweretheeffectsofimperialmagicuponacalmtemperamentandaponderedmind。
Besetinthelightofstablelanterns，bythetears，en-
treaties，indignation，remonstrancesandreproachesofhisfamily，hegotoutofthedifficultsituationbyfaintingawaythereandtheninthearmsofhisnearestrelatives，andwascarriedofftobed。Beforehegotoutofitagain，thesecondreignofNapoleon，theHundredDaysoffeverishagitationandsupremeeffort，passedawaylikeaterrifyingdream。Thetragicyear1815，beguninthetroubleandunrestofconsciences，wasendinginvengefulproscriptions。
HowGeneralFeraudescapedtheclutchesoftheSpecialCommissionandthelastofficesofafiringsquadheneverknewhimself。ItwaspartlyduetothesubordinatepositionhewasassignedduringtheHun-
dredDays。TheEmperorhadnevergivenhimactivecommand，buthadkepthimbusyatthecavalrydepotinParis，mountinganddespatchinghastilydrilledtroopersintothefield。Consideringthistaskasunworthyofhisabilities，hehaddischargeditwithnooffensivelynoticeablezeal；butforthegreaterparthewassavedfromtheexcessesofRoyalistreactionbytheinterferenceofGeneralD\'Hubert。
Thislast，stillonconvalescentleave，butablenowtotravel，hadbeendespatchedbyhissistertoParistopresenthimselftohislegitimatesovereign。Asnooneinthecapitalcouldpossiblyknowanythingoftheepisodeinthestablehewasreceivedtherewithdistinc-
tion。Militarytotheverybottomofhissoul，thepros-
pectofrisinginhisprofessionconsoledhimfromfindinghimselfthebuttofBonapartistmalevolence，whichpursuedhimwithapersistencehecouldnotaccountfor。AlltherancourofthatembitteredandpersecutedpartypointedtohimasthemanwhohadneverlovedtheEmperor——asortofmonsteressentiallyworsethanamerebetrayer。
GeneralD\'Hubertshruggedhisshoulderswithoutangeratthisferociousprejudice。Rejectedbyhisoldfriends，andmistrustingprofoundlytheadvancesofRoyalistsociety，theyoungandhandsomegeneral(hewasbarelyforty)adoptedamannerofcold，punctiliouscourtesy，whichatthemerestshadowofanintendedslightpassedeasilyintoharshhaughtiness。Thuspre-
pared，GeneralD\'HubertwentabouthisaffairsinParisfeelinginwardlyveryhappywiththepeculiarup-
liftinghappinessofamanverymuchinlove。Thecharminggirllookedoutbyhissisterhadcomeuponthescene，andhadconqueredhiminthethoroughmannerinwhichayounggirlbymerelyexistinginhissightcanmakeamanoffortyherown。Theywerego-
ingtobemarriedassoonasGeneralD\'Huberthadobtainedhisofficialnominationtoapromisedcom-
mand。
Oneafternoon，sittingontheterrasseoftheCafeTortoni，GeneralD\'Hubertlearnedfromthecon-
versationoftwostrangersoccupyingatablenearhisown，thatGeneralFeraud，includedinthebatchofsuperiorofficersarrestedafterthesecondreturnoftheking，wasindangerofpassingbeforetheSpecialCom-
mission。Livingallhissparemoments，asisfrequentlythecasewithexpectantlovers，adayinadvanceofreality，andinastateofbestarredhallucination，itrequirednothinglessthanthenameofhisperpetualantagonistpronouncedinaloudvoicetocalltheyoungestofNapoleon\'sgeneralsawayfromthementalcontemplationofhisbetrothed。Helookedround。Thestrangersworecivilianclothes。Leanandweather-beaten，lollingbackintheirchairs，theyscowledatpeoplewithmoodyanddefiantabstractionfromundertheirhatspulledlowovertheireyes。ItwasnotdifficulttorecognizethemfortwoofthecompulsorilyretiredofficersoftheOldGuard。Asfrombravadoorcarelessnesstheychosetospeakinloudtones，GeneralD\'Hubert，whosawnoreasonwhyheshouldchangehisseat，heardeveryword。TheydidnotseemtobethepersonalfriendsofGeneralFeraud。
Hisnamecameupamongstothers。Hearingitrepeated，GeneralD\'Hubert\'stenderanticipationsofadomesticfutureadornedwithawoman\'sgraceweretraversedbytheharshregretofhiswarlikepast，ofthatonelong，intoxicatingclashofarms，uniqueinthemagnitudeofitsgloryanddisaster——themarvellousworkandthespecialpossessionofhisowngeneration。
Hefeltanirrationaltendernesstowardshisoldadver-
saryandappreciatedemotionallythemurderousab-
surditytheirencounterhadintroducedintohislife。Itwaslikeanadditionalpinchofspiceinahotdish。Herememberedtheflavourwithsuddenmelancholy。Hewouldnevertasteitagain。Itwasallover。"Ifancyitwasbeingleftlyinginthegardenthathadexasperatedhimsoagainstmefromthefirst，"hethought，indul-
gently。
ThetwostrangersatthenexttablehadfallensilentafterthethirdmentionofGeneralFeraud\'sname。Pres-
entlytheelderofthetwo，speakingagaininabittertone，affirmedthatGeneralFeraud\'saccountwasset-
tled。Andwhy?Simplybecausehewasnotlikesomebigwigswholovedonlythemselves。TheRoyalistsknewtheycouldnevermakeanythingofhim。HelovedTheOthertoowell。
TheOtherwastheManofSt。Helena。Thetwoofficersnoddedandtouchedglassesbeforetheydranktoanimpossiblereturn。Thenthesamewhohadspokenbefore，remarkedwithasardoniclaugh，"Hisadversaryshowedmorecleverness。"
"Whatadversary?"askedtheyounger，asifpuzzled。
"Don\'tyouknow?Theyweretwohussars。Ateachpromotiontheyfoughtaduel。Haven\'tyouheardoftheduelgoingoneversince1801?"
Theotherhadheardoftheduel，ofcourse。Nowheunderstoodtheallusion。GeneralBaronD\'Hubertwouldbeablenowtoenjoyhisfatking\'sfavourinpeace。
"Muchgoodmayitdotohim，"mumbledtheelder。
"Theywerebothbravemen。IneversawthisD\'Hu-
bert——asortofintriguingdandy，Iamtold。ButIcanwellbelievewhatI\'veheardFeraudsayofhim——thatheneverlovedtheEmperor。"
Theyroseandwentaway。
GeneralD\'Hubertexperiencedthehorrorofasom-
nambulistwhowakesupfromacomplacentdreamofactivitytofindhimselfwalkingonaquagmire。A
profounddisgustofthegroundonwhichhewasmakinghiswayovercamehim。Eventheimageofthecharm-
inggirlwassweptfromhisviewinthefloodofmoraldistress。EverythinghehadeverbeenorhopedtobewouldtasteofbitterignominyunlesshecouldmanagetosaveGeneralFeraudfromthefatewhichthreatenedsomanybraves。Undertheimpulseofthisalmostmorbidneedtoattendtothesafetyofhisadversary，GeneralD\'Hubertworkedsowellwithhandsandfeet(astheFrenchsayingis)，thatinlessthantwenty-fourhourshefoundmeansofobtaininganextraordinaryprivateaudiencefromtheMinisterofPolice。
GeneralBaronD\'Hubertwasshowninsuddenlywithoutpreliminaries。IntheduskoftheMinister\'scabinet，behindtheformsofwriting-desk，chairs，andtables，betweentwobunchesofwaxcandlesblazinginsconces，hebeheldafigureinagorgeouscoatposturingbeforeatallmirror。TheoldconventionnelFouche；，SenatoroftheEmpire，traitortoeveryman，toeveryprincipleandmotiveofhumanconduct。DukeofOtran-
to，andthewilyartizanofthesecondRestoration，wastryingthefitofacourtsuitinwhichhisyoungandaccomplishedfianceehaddeclaredherintentiontohavehisportraitpaintedonporcelain。Itwasacaprice，acharmingfancywhichthefirstMinisterofPoliceofthesecondRestorationwasanxioustogratify。Forthatman，oftencomparedinwilinessofconducttoafox，butwhoseethicalsidecouldbeworthilysymbolizedbynothinglessemphaticthanaskunk，wasasmuchpossessedbyhisloveasGeneralD\'Huberthimself。
Startledtobediscoveredthusbytheblunderofaservant，hemetthislittlevexationwiththecharacteris-
ticimpudencewhichhadservedhisturnsowellintheendlessintriguesofhisself-seekingcareer。Withoutalteringhisattitudeahair\'s-breadth，oneleginasilkstockingadvanced，hisheadtwistedoverhisleftshoulder，hecalledoutcalmly，"Thisway，General。
Prayapproach。Well?Iamallattention。"
WhileGeneralD\'Hubert，illateaseasifoneofhisownlittleweaknesseshadbeenexposed，presentedhisrequestasshortlyaspossible，theDukeofOtrantowentonfeelingthefitofhiscollar，settlingthelapelsbeforetheglass，andbucklinghisbackinanefforttobeholdthesetofthegoldembroideredcoat-skirtsbehind。Hisstillface，hisattentiveeyes，couldnothaveexpressedamorecompleteinterestinthosemattersifhehadbeenalone。
