Belle-Rose — page 133: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

f 122 A WOMAN’S HAND. a hero. Dead, he would have been forgotten next day; living, the crowd was carried away by enthusiasm. But Belle-Rose thought of nothing. What he had just heard appearod to him a dream. Monsieur de Naucrais did not think this a time for hiding his satisfaction. In the presence — of the whole garrison he embraced the sergeant, who was touched more by this demonstration of affection than by all the tumult of which he was the object. At this mo- ment, the cavalier who had brought the glad news ap- proached Belle-Rose, and taking him by the sleeve, softly said to him: ‘And will you not embrace me, too?”’ Belle-Rose turned round and. found himself in the arms. of Cornelius O’Brien. Half an hour after the scene which we have just re- lated, Belle-Rose, Cornelius O’Brien, and Monsieur de Naucrais were gathered together in the captain’s room. ‘““You undoubtedly have some things to say to each other,’’ said Monsieur de Naucrais to the two friends; ‘*Belle-Rose has well earned for to-day a ten-hours’ leave, so remain together and dine at your ease, here or else+ where, as you prefer. Some papers have just arrived from Paris which I must examine.’’ The death which he had seen so close, rendered life more sweet to Belle-Rose. If the same causes for grief subsisted, the voluntary gift which he had made of his young exist- ence seemed to him a sufficient sacrifice, and despair no longer had the right to ask anything of him, The sacrifice had been offered, fate had refused him, so they were quits. Oftentimes it so happens that even the sincerest — souls make such compromises, as these, which explains things apparently inexplicable. The sergeant, miracu- lously saved, did not perceive. the transformation which was taking place in him; but at sight of Cornelius, who was extending his hand to him across the table, he took a elass of Spanish wine, swallowed. it at a draught, and, with his heart bounding joyfully, he understood that there was still room in the future for youth, hope, and love. “T owe you my life, then!’’ exclaimed Belle-Rose, pressing the hand of the Irish gentleman. ‘‘One day my honor, the next day my head; if you keep on in this fash- ion, how shall I repay you?’’ “Tt will be more easy to do than you ants replied Cornelius. ‘*Speak quickly !: comicbooks.co