Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 28, 2025
"I advance Colonel Lagroin to the rank of General in my Household Troops, and I command you to obey him as such." Then he beckoned, and the old man drew near. Stooping, he pinned the order upon his breast. When the sergeant saw what it was, he turned pale, trembled, and the drumsticks fell from his hand. His eyes shone like sun on wet glass, then tears sprang from them upon his face.
Lagroin chafed that he must play recruiting-sergeant and general also. But it gave him comfort to remember that the Great Emperor had not at times disdained to be his own recruiting-sergeant; that, after Friedland, he himself had been taken into the Old Guard by the Emperor; that Davoust had called him brother; that Ney had shared his supper and slept with him under the same blanket.
Lord!" he cried, with feigned awe, getting to his feet at sight of the two. Then, to his comrades, "Children, children, off with your hats! Here is Monsieur Talleyrand, if I'm not mistaken. On to your feet, mealman, and dust your stomach. Lajeunesse, wipe your face with your leather. Duck your heads, stupids!" With mock solemnity the three greeted Parpon and Lagroin.
"Better than that bagosh!" cried the charcoalman in surprise, proudly using the innocuous English oath. "Better than that sutler, maybe?" said the mealman, smacking his lips. "Better than that," replied Lagroin, swelling with importance. "Ay, ay, my dears, great things are for you. I command the army, and I have free hand from my master. Ah, what joy to serve a Napoleon once again! What joy!
"Better than that bagosh!" cried the charcoalman in surprise, proudly using the innocuous English oath. "Better than that sutler, maybe?" said the mealman, smacking his lips. "Better than that," replied Lagroin, swelling with importance. "Ay, ay, my dears, great things are for you. I command the army, and I have free hand from my master. Ah, what joy to serve a Napoleon once again! What joy!
She admired the acumen that had seized the perfect opportunity to thank her for the violets, the badge of the Great Emperor. "My hives shall not be empty of bees or honey," she said, alluding to the imperial bees, and she touched his arm in a pretty, gracious fashion. "Madame ah, madame!" he replied, and his eyes grew moist. She bade the servant admit Lagroin and Parpon.
The sight of his senile weariness flashed the irony of the whole wild dream into Valmond's mind. He rose, and, giving his arm, led Lagroin to his bedroom, and bade him good-night. When he returned to the room, it was empty. He looked around, and, seeing an open door, moved to it quickly. It led into a little stairway.
The moon was lying off above the edge of hills, looking out on the world complacently, like an indulgent janitor scanning the sleepy street from his doorway. He was abruptly drawn from his reverie by the entrance of Lagroin into the little garden; and he followed the old man through the open doorway. All was dark, but as they stepped within they heard some one move.
"Till I've no more wind in my bellows!" responded Lajeunesse, raising his hand, "if he keeps faith with my Madelinette." "On the honour of a soldier," said Lagroin, and he crossed himself. "God save us all!" said Parpon. Obeying a motion of the dwarf's hand, Lagroin drew from his pocket a flask of cognac, with four little tin cups fitting into each other.
It was the solution of all; it was his only way to honour. The soldiers were halted a little distance from the two; and the officer commanding, after a dull mechanical preamble, in the name of the Government, formally called upon Valmond and Lagroin to surrender themselves, or suffer the perils of resistance. "Never!" broke out Lagroin, and, drawing his sword, he shouted: "Vive Napoleon!
Word Of The Day
Others Looking