Part 18 (1/2)
”The army, I say, it shall be.”
”Madame----”
”To-morrow I will hear your choice concerning this commission--horse, foot, or artillery?”
One did not argue with Princesses--partly because Princesses did not argue with one. He humbly retired, revolving an undefined notion of flight.
By chance Grancey entered during the afternoon.
”Homesick, just at the nick of fortune? Do you know that a sub-lieutenancy is vacant in my company? Sub-lieutenant, with rank of a Colonel of Dragoons?”
”I did not.”
”You must ask for it.”
”That is out of the question, my lord.” The gravity and humility of his demeanour astonished Grancey, who surveyed him quizzically. ”Is this a new _role_, Repentigny, a part from _The Unconscious Philosopher_? Are you ill?”
”I am leaving Versailles.”
”Nonsense.”
”And France.”
”Never!”
”It is the case.”
”But I have named you for the sub-lieutenancy.”
Lecour looked up; but it was not enough to revive him from so deep a slough.
”I must go, Baron.”
”_Galimatias!_ You shall not throw away a commission in the Bodyguard of the greatest Court in Europe. My brother-officers demand you, and you must not desert me, your friend--your _friend_, Germain.”
Germain went over to a window and looked out, to hide the tears with which his eyes were filling. In the courtyard below a coach had stopped at one of the doors. Cyrene was entering it. Why was she brought before him just at that moment. This inopportune glimpse of her cancelled all reasoning. With fevered sight he watched her till the coach disappeared, and turning, said eagerly to de Grancey--
”Is not the Prince's consent required?”
”You agree!” Grancey cried, embracing him joyfully. ”As to the Prince, comrade,” said he, ”the sole difficulty is that he will grant anything to anybody. We must get his signature--for which I admit it is delicate to ask him--before any other applicant.”
Lecour's pulses sprang back to life.
”Could the _Princess_ a.s.sist us?” he inquired.
”Perfect!” cried the Baron.
Germain returned to her apartment. The Abbe was handing her a paper and saying--
”An entirely worthy gentleman, your Excellency, and wounded in several of the King's victories, as well as of irreproachable descent.”