Page:The Czar, A Tale of the Time of the First Napleon.djvu/124

114 to the maire, and concealed me in his house until marching orders came. As we started in the gray dawn of a winter's morning, I hoped to pass unnoticed; but so many villagers were there to bid farewell to their friends, that I know you must have heard all. Mother, Clémence, pray for me; and oh, mother, forgive me if you can! It is not for Napoleon I am going to fight, but for France."

"Conscript, do you want that letter put into the post tonight?" asked a short, thick-set, red-haired man with a corporal's badge on his sleeve; "because, if you do, I am going out, and I am a very obliging fellow."

Henri looked up quickly. He might perhaps have doubted the corporal's word, but five or six other letters which he held in his hand seemed to corroborate his statement; besides, he knew that for him there would be no leave to go out that night.

"Then I shall be very much obliged to you, corporal," he said.

"Quick with you then. Sign your name and give it to me. I cannot wait all night. You may make my compliments to your sweetheart while you are about it, however."

Henri hastily folded and sealed his letter, and put it in the corporal's outstretched hand.

"Peste, man!" said the other impatiently; "where is the postage?"

Henri took out half a franc. "That is it, I think," he said, without noticing the signs one of his comrades was making to attract his attention. The corporal flung the coin upon the table, and caught it again, as if to try whether it was genuine, muttered a curse, and went his way.

"Fool!" said Henri's neighbour. "Did you not see he wanted something to drink? What else should he take your letter for? Look out for yourself on parade to-morrow; he will do you a mischief if he can."