Belle Rose: A Romance of the Cloak and Sword — page 123: what you’re looking at

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

ESSE Sy a eee | COFMIE OOS xt A STEP TOWARD THE TOMB. 16 now. You area brave and honest soldier, and Monsieur de Viliebrais is a wretched officer who has more pride than courage. You have struck him, and you have done well. You had right and justice on your side. Nevertheless you will be shot. Discipline requires it, and discipline must be obeyed. Give me your hand and go to your dungeon.’’ Monsieur de Naucrais rang. Corporal Déroute appeared. Monsieur de Naucrais exchanged a last look with Belle- Rose and turned quickly from him. He was no longer the friend—he was the officer. ‘‘Corporal,’’ said he to Déroute, ‘‘here is the deserter Belle-Rose whom I confide to you. Take him to the dun- geon and return to get my order for the convocation of the court-martial. Go.”’ Déroute carried his hand to his hat and went out. No sooner had they passed the door, when the corporal threw himself upon the sergeant’s neck. ‘*Death of my life! you have had a ridiculous idea,’’ said Déroute, ‘‘but patience, all is not finished.’’ ‘‘There are three or four days left, I believe.”’ ‘*Between the evening before and the next day, there is room for a project. ”’ ‘*What do you mean?”’ ‘*We have not the leisure to talk in this corridor. I must first place youin the dungeon. Afterward I go to the captain, and if I obtain his permission to command the men on guard, I am content.’’ ‘‘Ask him on my part, and he will consent.”’ ‘*Parbleu, I was thinking of that. Let us march quickly; we will have time to talk after.’’ In five minutes the dungeon door was closed upon him. **Sit down,’’ said Déroute. ‘‘I go and return.”’ The dungeon was a low hall adjoining the barrack of the artillery men. The windows were furnished with great iron bars. Belle-Rose paced to and fro. One of the win- dows gave upon the beat, where a soldier was promenad- ing, with a musket on his shoulder. As Belle-Rose looked out he perceived Déroute approaching with rapid strides. ‘*Well, I come from the captain. Eh! he has done things well,’’ and Déroute entered. **Really !’’ ‘‘Through friendship for you, and in order to shorten your stay in the dungeon, he advances the judgment and execution. We spoke of four days—you will be shot in Be | forty-eight hours.’’ 3