Belle-Rose — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

136 WHEAT AND TARES. ‘‘And who, then, will prevent it?’’ “Yourself.” ““Mie!’’ CVies, you! y0? “Monsieur Belle-Rose, take care!’’ said the duke, grow- ing pale. ‘Oh! I fear nothing for myself! The right defends me as your justice should defend Monsieur de Naucrais. One does not kill a brave officer because he has blood in his veins. ’ ‘‘Morbleu!’’ | ‘“‘Eh! monseigneur, if you had been in his place, perhaie you would have done as much.’’ At this brusque repartee, the Duc de Luxembourg could not refrain from smiling. ‘‘Agreed,’’ said he, ‘‘but if he were in mine, he would act like me!”’ - Belle-Rose continued: ‘fA band of pillagers insult the French flag, a captain of the king is there, and would not draw his sword to punish the insolent fellows! But it is impossible! Fire devours a village, the odor of powder mounts to your head, a horse ' prances, a dig of the spur is quickly given, and you go, not so much because you wished to, but: because you are a man. Then, what happens? The enemy turn round, you pursue them, you kill them right and left, you fall pell-mell upon a redoubt which is carried by assault, -the white flag is planted upon the rampart, and you cry, — ‘Vive le roi!’ you embrace your companions, and on re- turning, instead of a recompense, it is a musket-ball which is waiting for you. But you, monseigneur, who condemn men so quickly and so well—your feats are known! You have crossed twenty rivers, massacred ten thousand Span- iards, taken thirty redoubts! This is what you would have done, peer of France though you are, and what I would | have done—I who am only a poor lieutenant. ”? ‘Well, we would have both been shot,’’ said the general. = Belle- Rose trembled. In his generous ardor, he had for a moment forgotten the rank of the man to whom he was. speaking. At these words, his youthful zeal calmed down, as does the boiling water of a vase when a cold stream is poured upon it. ‘“You have pleaded well Monsieur de Naucrais’ cane added Monsieur de Luxembourg, with dignity; ‘‘audacity is not unbecoming to youth, and that which you have just — ee shown honors you and at the same time gives me a high G ) “comicboo (s com 8 wid -. 4 era > > Mets sta oa Ase, Cee ’ Nabe 4