"Yes I.After all," resumed the marshal bitterly, "why should I conceal from you this new wound? If I doubted you a moment, I owe you some compensation, and you shall know all.For some time past, I perceived that, when I meet any of my old companions in arms, they try to avoid me -"
"What! was it to this that the anonymous letter alluded?"
"Yes; and it spoke the truth," replied the marshal, with a sigh of grief and indignation.
"But it is impossible, general--you are so loved and respected--"
"Those are mere words; I speak of positive facts.When I appear, the conversation is often interrupted.Instead of treating me as an old comrade, they affect towards me a rigorously cold politeness.There are a thousand little shades, a thousand trifles, which wound the heart, but which it is impossible to notice--"
"What you are now saying, general, quite confounds me," replied Dagobert.
"You assure me of it, and I am forced to believe you."
"Oh, it is intolerable! I was resolved to ease my heart of it; so, this morning, I went to General d'Havrincourt, who was colonel with me in the Imperial Guard; he is honor and honesty itself.I went to him with open heart.`I perceive,' said I, `the coldness that is shown me.Some calumny must be circulating to my disadvantage.Tell me all about it.
Knowing the attack, I shall be able to defend myself--'
"Well, general?"
"D'Havrincourt remained impassible ceremoniously polite.To all my questions he answered coldly: `I am not aware, my lord duke, that any calumny has been circulated with regard to you.'--'Do not call me "my lord duke," my dear D'Havrincourt; we are old fellow-soldiers and friends, my honor is somewhat touchy, I confess, and I find that you and our comrades do not receive me so cordially, as in times past.You do not deny it; I see, I know, I feel it.' To all this D'Havrincourt answered, with the same coldness: `I have never seen any one wanting in respect towards you.'--'I am not talking of respect,' exclaimed I, as I clasped his hand affectionately, though I observed that he but feebly returned the pressure; `I speak of cordiality, confidence, which I once enjoyed, while now I am treated like a stranger.Why is it? What has occasioned this change?'--Still cold and reserved, he answered: `These distinctions are so nice, marshal, that it is impossible for me to give you any opinion on the subject.'--My heart swelled with grief and anger.
What was I to do? To quarrel with D'Havrincourt would have been absurd.
A sense of dignity forced me to break off the interview, but it has only confirmed my fears.Thus," added the marshal, getting more and more animated, "thus am I fallen from the esteem to which I am entitled, thus am I despised, without even knowing the cause! Is it not odious? If they would only utter a charge against me--I should at least be able to defend myself, and to find an answer.But no, no! not even a word--only the cold politeness that is worse than any insult.Oh! it is too much, too much! for all this comes but in addition to other cares.What a life is mine since the death of my father! If I did but find rest and happiness at home--but no! I come in, but to read shameful letters; and still worse," added the marshal, in a heartrending tone, and after a moment's hesitation, "to find my children grow more and more indifferent towards me--
"Yes," continued he, perceiving the amazement of Dagobert, "and yet they know how much I love them!"
"Your daughters indifferent!" exclaimed Dagobert, in astonishment."You make them such a reproach?"
"Oh! I do not blame them.They have hardly had time to know me."
"Not had time to know you?" returned the soldier, in a tone of remonstrance, and warming up in his turn."Ah! of what did their mother talk to them, except you? and I too! what could I teach your children except to know and love you?"
"You take their part--that is natural--they love you better than they do me," said the marshal, with growing bitterness.Dagobert felt himself so painfully affected, that he looked at the marshal without answering.
"Yes!" continued the other; "yes! it may be base and ungrateful--but no matter!--Twenty times I have felt jealous of the affectionate confidence which my children display towards you, while with me they seem always to be in fear.If their melancholy faces ever grow animated for a moment, it is in talking to you, in seeing you; while for me they have nothing but cold respect--and that kills me.Sure of the affection of my children, I would have braved and surmounted every difficulty--" Then, seeing that Dagobert rushed towards the door which led to the chamber of Rose and Blanche, the marshal asked: "Where are you going?"
"For your daughters, general."
"What for?"
"To bring them face to face with you--to tell them: `My children, your father thinks that you do not love him.'--I will only say that--and then you will see."
"Dagobert! I forbid you to do it," cried the marshal, hastily.
