Cigarette whirls
about like a little paper windmill, just as the breeze blows; but, as
the windmill never leaves its stick, so she is always constant to the
Tricolor."
Their guest said little more on the subject; in his own thoughts he was
bitterly resentful that, by the mention of this Chasseur's fortunes, he
should have brought in the name he loved so well--the purest, fairest,
haughtiest name in Europe--into a discussion with a vivandiere at a camp
dinner.
Chateauroy, throughout, had said nothing; he had listened in silence,
the darkness lowering still more heavily upon his swarthy features; only
now he opened his lips for a few brief words:
"Mon cher Duc, tell Madame not to waste the rare balm of her pity. The
fellow you inquire for was an outcast and an outlaw when he came to us.
He fights well--it is often a blackguard's virtue!"
His guest nodded and changed the subject; his impatience and aversion at
the introduction of his sister's name into the discussion made him drop
the theme unpursued, and let it die out forgotten.
Venetia Corona associated with an Algerian trooper! If Cigarette had
been of his own sex he could have dashed the white teeth down her throat
for having spoken of the two in one breath.
And as, later on, he stretched his gallant limbs out on his narrow camp
pallet, tired with a long day in saddle under the hot African sun, the
Seraph fell asleep with his right arm under his handsome golden head,
and thought no more of this unknown French trooper.
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