"Theverydevil，Lieutenant，"heblurtedout，intheinnocenceofhisheart，"isthatIhavedeclaredmyin-
　　tentiontogettothebottomofthisaffair。Andwhenacolonelsayssomething……yousee……"
　　Lieut。D'Hubertbrokeinearnestly:"Letmeen-
　　treatyou，Colonel，tobesatisfiedwithtakingmywordofhonourthatIwasputintoadamnablepositionwhereIhadnooption；Ihadnochoicewhatever，consistentwithmydignityasamanandanofficer……Afterall，Colonel，thisfactistheverybottomofthisaffair。
　　Hereyou'vegotit。Therestismeredetail……"
　　Thecolonelstoppedshort。ThereputationofLieut。
　　D'Hubertforgoodsenseandgoodtemperweighedinthebalance。Acoolhead，awarmheart，openastheday。Alwayscorrectinhisbehaviour。Onehadtotrusthim。Thecolonelrepressedmanfullyanim-
　　mensecuriosity。"H'm!Youaffirmthatasamanandanofficer……Nooption?Eh?"
　　"Asanofficer——anofficerofthe4thHussars，too，"
　　insistedLieut。D'Hubert，"Ihadnot。Andthatisthebottomoftheaffair，Colonel。"
　　"Yes。ButstillIdon'tseewhy，toone'scolonel……
　　Acolonelisafather——quediable!"
　　Lieut。D'Hubertoughtnottohavebeenallowedoutasyet。Hewasbecomingawareofhisphysicalin-
　　sufficiencywithhumiliationanddespair。Butthemorbidobstinacyofaninvalidpossessedhim，andatthesametimehefeltwithdismayhiseyesfillingwithwater。Thistroubleseemedtoobigtohandle。Atearfelldownthethin，palecheekofLieut。D'Hubert。
　　Thecolonelturnedhisbackonhimhastily。Youcouldhaveheardapindrop。"Thisissomesillywomanstory——isitnot?"
　　Sayingthesewordsthechiefspunroundtoseizethetruth，whichisnotabeautifulshapelivinginawell，butashybirdbestcaughtbystratagem。Thiswasthelastmoveofthecolonel'sdiplomacy。HesawthetruthshiningunmistakablyinthegestureofLieut。D'Hubertraisinghisweakarmsandhiseyestoheaveninsupremeprotest。
　　"Notawomanaffair——eh?"growledthecolonel，staringhard。"Idon'taskyouwhoorwhere。AllI
　　wanttoknowiswhetherthereisawomaninit?"
　　Lieut。D'Hubert'sarmsdropped，andhisweakvoicewaspatheticallybroken。
　　"Nothingofthekind，monColonel。"
　　"Onyourhonour?"insistedtheoldwarrior。
　　"Onmyhonour。"
　　"Verywell，"saidthecolonel，thoughtfully，andbithislip。TheargumentsofLieut。D'Hubert，helpedbyhislikingfortheman，hadconvincedhim。Ontheotherhand，itwashighlyimproperthathisintervention，ofwhichhehadmadenosecret，shouldproducenovisibleeffect。HekeptLieut。D'Hubertafewminuteslonger，anddismissedhimkindly。
　　"Takeafewdaysmoreinbed。Lieutenant。Whatthedevildoesthesurgeonmeanbyreportingyoufitforduty?"
　　Oncomingoutofthecolonel'squarters，Lieut。
　　D'Hubertsaidnothingtothefriendwhowaswaitingoutsidetotakehimhome。Hesaidnothingtoanybody。
　　Lieut。D'Hubertmadenoconfidences。Butontheeveningofthatdaythecolonel，strollingundertheelmsgrowingnearhisquarters，inthecompanyofhissecondincommand，openedhislips。
　　"I'vegottothebottomofthisaffair，"heremarked。
　　Thelieut-colonel，adry，brownchipofamanwithshortside-whiskers，prickeduphisearsatthatwithoutlettingasignofcuriosityescapehim。
　　"It'snotrifle，"addedthecolonel，oracularly。Theotherwaitedforalongwhilebeforehemurmured:
　　"Indeed，sir!"
　　"Notrifle，"repeatedthecolonel，lookingstraightbeforehim。"I've，however，forbiddenD'HuberteithertosendtoorreceiveachallengefromFeraudforthenexttwelvemonths。"
　　Hehadimaginedthisprohibitiontosavetheprestigeacolonelshouldhave。Theresultofitwastogiveanofficialsealtothemysterysurroundingthisdeadlyquarrel。Lieut。D'Hubertrepelledbyanimpassivesilenceallattemptstowormthetruthoutofhim。Lieut。
　　Feraud，secretlyuneasyatfirst，regainedhisassuranceastimewenton。Hedisguisedhisignoranceofthemeaningoftheimposedtrucebyslightsardoniclaughs，asthoughhewereamusedbywhatheintendedtokeeptohimself。"Butwhatwillyoudo?"hischumsusedtoaskhim。Hecontentedhimselfbyreplying"Quivivraverra"withalittletruculentair。Andeverybodyadmiredhisdiscretion。
　　BeforetheendofthetruceLieut。D'Hubertgothistroop。Thepromotionwaswellearned，butsomehownooneseemedtoexpecttheevent。WhenLieut。
　　Feraudheardofitatagatheringofofficers，hemutteredthroughhisteeth，"Isthatso?"Atonceheunhookedhissabrefromapegnearthedoor，buckleditoncare-
　　fully，andleftthecompanywithoutanotherword。Hewalkedhomewithmeasuredsteps，struckalightwithhisflintandsteel，andlithistallowcandle。Thensnatchinganunluckyglasstumbleroffthemantelpiecehedasheditviolentlyonthefloor。
　　NowthatD'Hubertwasanofficerofsuperiorranktherecouldbenoquestionofaduel。Neitherofthemcouldsendorreceiveachallengewithoutrenderinghimselfamenabletoacourt-martial。Itwasnottobethoughtof。Lieut。Feraud，whoformanydaysnowhadexperiencednorealdesiretomeetLieut。D'Hubertarmsinhand，chafedagainatthesystematicinjusticeoffate。
　　"Doeshethinkhewillescapemeinthatway?"hethought，indignantly。Hesawinthispromotionanintrigue，aconspiracy，acowardlymanoeuvre。Thatcolonelknewwhathewasdoing。Hehadhastenedtorecommendhisfavouriteforastep。Itwasoutrageousthatamanshouldbeabletoavoidtheconsequencesofhisactsinsuchadarkandtortuousmanner。
　　Ofahappy-go-luckydisposition，ofatemperamentmorepugnaciousthanmilitary，Lieut。Feraudhadbeencontenttogiveandreceiveblowsforsheerloveofarmedstrife，andwithoutmuchthoughtofadvance-
　　ment；butnowanurgentdesiretogetonsprangupinhisbreast。Thisfighterbyvocationresolvedinhismindtoseizeshowyoccasionsandtocourtthefavour-
　　ableopinionofhischiefslikeamereworldling。Heknewhewasasbraveasanyone，andneverdoubtedhispersonalcharm。Nevertheless，neitherthebraverynorthecharmseemedtoworkveryswiftly。Lieut。Feraud'sengaging，carelesstruculenceofabeausabreurunder-
　　wentachange。Hebegantomakebitterallusionsto"cleverfellowswhostickatnothingtogeton。"Thearmywasfullofthem，hewouldsay；youhadonlytolookround。Butallthetimehehadinviewonepersononly，hisadversary，D'Hubert。Onceheconfidedtoanappreciativefriend:"Yousee，Idon'tknowhowtofawnontherightsortofpeople。Itisn'tinmycharac-
　　ter。"
　　HedidnotgethissteptillaweekafterAusterlitz。
　　TheLightCavalryoftheGrandArmyhaditshandsveryfullofinterestingworkforalittlewhile。DirectlythepressureofprofessionaloccupationhadbeeneasedCaptainFeraudtookmeasurestoarrangeameetingwithoutlossoftime。"Iknowmybird，"heobserved，grimly。"IfIdon'tlooksharphewilltakecaretogethimselfpromotedovertheheadsofadozenbettermenthanhimself。He'sgottheknackforthatsortofthing。"
　　ThisduelwasfoughtinSilesia。Ifnotfoughttoafinish，itwas，atanyrate，foughttoastandstill。
　　Theweaponwasthecavalrysabre，andtheskill，thescience，thevigour，andthedeterminationdisplayedbytheadversariescompelledtheadmirationofthebe-
　　holders。ItbecamethesubjectoftalkonbothshoresoftheDanube，andasfarasthegarrisonsofGratzandLaybach。Theycrossedbladesseventimes。Bothhadmanycutswhichbledprofusely。Bothrefusedtohavethecombatstopped，timeaftertime，withwhatap-
　　pearedthemostdeadlyanimosity。ThisappearancewascausedonthepartofCaptainD'Hubertbyarationaldesiretobedoneonceforallwiththisworry；onthepartofCaptainFeraudbyatremendousexaltationofhispugnaciousinstinctsandtheincitementofwoundedvanity。Atlast，dishevelled，theirshirtsinrags，coveredwithgoreandhardlyabletostand，theywereledawayforciblybytheirmarvellingandhorrifiedseconds。
　　Lateron，besiegedbycomradesavidofdetails，thesegentlemendeclaredthattheycouldnothaveallowedthatsortofhackingtogoonindefinitely。Askedwhetherthequarrelwassettledthistime，theygaveitoutastheirconvictionthatitwasadifferencewhichcouldonlybesettledbyoneofthepartiesremaininglifelessontheground。Thesensationspreadfromarmycorpstoarmycorps，andpenetratedatlasttothesmallestdetachmentsofthetroopscantonedbe-
　　tweentheRhineandtheSave。InthecafesinViennaitwasgenerallyestimated，fromdetailstohand，thattheadversarieswouldbeabletomeetagaininthreeweeks'timeontheoutside。Somethingreallytranscendentinthewayofduellingwasexpected。
　　Theseexpectationswerebroughttonaughtbythenecessitiesoftheservicewhichseparatedthetwoofficers。Noofficialnoticehadbeentakenoftheirquarrel。Itwasnowthepropertyofthearmy，andnottobemeddledwithlightly。Butthestoryoftheduel，orrathertheirduellingpropensities，musthavestoodsomewhatinthewayoftheiradvancement，becausetheywerestillcaptainswhentheycametogetheragainduringthewarwithPrussia。DetachednorthafterJena，withthearmycommandedbyMarshalBerna-
　　dotte，PrinceofPonteCorvo，theyenteredLubecktogether。
　　ItwasonlyaftertheoccupationofthattownthatCaptainFeraudfoundleisuretoconsiderhisfuturecon-
　　ductinviewofthefactthatCaptainD'Huberthadbeengiventhepositionofthirdaide-de-camptothemarshal。Heconsidereditagreatpartofanight，andinthemorningsummonedtwosympatheticfriends。
　　"I'vebeenthinkingitovercalmly，"hesaid，gazingatthemwithblood-shot，tiredeyes。"IseethatImustgetridofthatintriguingpersonage。Herehe'smanagedtosneakontothepersonalstaffofthemarshal。It'sadirectprovocationtome。Ican'ttolerateasituationinwhichIamexposedanydaytoreceiveanorderthroughhim。AndGodknowswhatorder，too!Thatsortofthinghashappenedoncebefore——andthat'soncetoooften。Heunderstandsthisperfectly，neverfear。I
　　can'ttellyouanymore。Nowyouknowwhatitisyouhavetodo。"
　　ThisencountertookplaceoutsidethetownofLubeck，onveryopenground，selectedwithspecialcareindeferencetothegeneralsentimentofthecavalrydivisionbelongingtothearmycorps，thatthistimethetwoofficersshouldmeetonhorseback。Afterall，thisduelwasacavalryaffair，andtopersistinfightingonfootwouldlooklikeaslightonone'sownarmoftheservice。Theseconds，startledbytheunusualnatureofthesuggestion，hastenedtorefertotheirprincipals。
　　CaptainFeraudjumpedatitwithalacrity。Forsomeobscurereason，depending，nodoubt，onhispsychology，heimaginedhimselfinvincibleonhorseback。Allalonewithinthefourwallsofhisroomherubbedhishandsandmutteredtriumphantly，"Aha!myprettystaffofficer，I'vegotyounow。"
　　CaptainD'Hubertonhisside，afterstaringhardforaconsiderabletimeathisfriends，shruggedhisshouldersslightly。Thisaffairhadhopelesslyandunreasonablycomplicatedhisexistenceforhim。Oneabsurditymoreorlessinthedevelopmentdidnotmatter——allabsurditywasdistastefultohim；but，urbaneasever，heproducedafaintlyironicalsmile，andsaidinhiscalmvoice，"Itcertainlywilldoawaytosomeextentwiththemonot-
　　onyofthething。"
　　Whenleftalone，hesatdownatatableandtookhisheadintohishands。Hehadnotsparedhimselfoflateandthemarshalhadbeenworkingallhisaides-de-
　　campparticularlyhard。Thelastthreeweeksofcampaigninginhorribleweatherhadaffectedhishealth。
　　Whenover-tiredhesufferedfromastitchinhiswoundedside，andthatuncomfortablesensationalwaysdepressedhim。"It'sthatbrute'sdoing，too，"hethoughtbitterly。
　　Thedaybeforehehadreceivedaletterfromhome，announcingthathisonlysisterwasgoingtobemarried。
　　Hereflectedthatfromthetimeshewasnineteenandhetwenty-six，whenhewentawaytogarrisonlifeinStras-
　　bourg，hehadhadbuttwoshortglimpsesofher。Theyhadbeengreatfriendsandconfidants；andnowshewasgoingtobegivenawaytoamanwhomhedidnotknow——averyworthyfellownodoubt，butnothalfgoodenoughforher。HewouldneverseehisoldLeonieagain。Shehadacapablelittlehead，andplentyoftact；shewouldknowhowtomanagethefellow，tobesure。Hewaseasyinhismindaboutherhappinessbuthefeltoustedfromthefirstplaceinherthoughtswhichhadbeenhiseversincethegirlcouldspeak。A
　　melancholyregretofthedaysofhischildhoodsettleduponCaptainD'Hubert，thirdaide-de-camptothePrinceofPonteCorvo。
　　Hethrewasidetheletterofcongratulationhehadbeguntowriteasindutybound，butwithoutenthusi-
　　asm。Hetookafreshpieceofpaper，andtracedonitthewords:"Thisismylastwillandtestament。"Look-
　　ingatthesewordshegavehimselfuptounpleasantre-
　　flection；apresentimentthathewouldneverseethescenesofhischildhoodweigheddowntheequablespiritsofCaptainD'Hubert。Hejumpedup，pushinghischairback，yawnedelaboratelyinsignthathedidn'tcareanythingforpresentiments，andthrowinghimselfonthebedwenttosleep。Duringthenightheshiveredfromtimetotimewithoutwakingup。Inthemorningherodeoutoftownbetweenhistwoseconds，talkingofindifferentthings，andlookingrightandleftwithap-
　　parentdetachmentintotheheavymorningmistsshroudingtheflatgreenfieldsborderedbyhedges。Heleapedaditch，andsawtheformsofmanymountedmenmovinginthefog。"Wearetofightbeforeagallery，itseems，"hemutteredtohimself，bitterly。
　　Hissecondswereratherconcernedatthestateoftheatmosphere，butpresentlyapale，sicklysunstruggledoutofthelowvapours，andCaptainD'Hubertmadeout，inthedistance，threehorsemenridingalittleapartfromtheothers。ItwasCaptainFeraudandhisseconds。Hedrewhissabre，andassuredhimselfthatitwasproperlyfastenedtohiswrist。Andnowtheseconds，whohadbeenstandinginclosegroupwiththeheadsoftheirhorsestogether，separatedataneasycanter，leavingalarge，clearfieldbetweenhimandhisadversary。CaptainD'Hubertlookedatthepalesun，atthedismalfields，andtheimbecilityoftheimpendingfightfilledhimwithdesolation。Fromadistantpartofthefieldastentorianvoiceshoutedcommandsatproperintervals:Aupas——Autrot——Charrrgez!……Pre-
　　sentimentsofdeathdon'tcometoamanfornothing，hethoughtattheverymomentheputspurstohishorse。
　　Andthereforehewasmorethansurprisedwhen，attheveryfirstset-to，CaptainFeraudlaidhimselfopentoacutovertheforehead，whichblindinghimwithblood，endedthecombatalmostbeforeithadfairlybegun。Itwasimpossibletogoon。CaptainD'Hubert，leavinghisenemyswearinghorriblyandreelinginthesaddlebetweenhistwoappalledfriends，leapedtheditchagainintotheroadandtrottedhomewithhistwoseconds，whoseemedratherawestruckatthespeedyissueofthatencounter。IntheeveningCaptainD'Hubertfinishedthecongratulatoryletteronhissister'smarriage。
　　Hefinisheditlate。Itwasalongletter。CaptainD'Hubertgavereinstohisfancy。Hetoldhissisterthathewouldfeelratherlonelyafterthisgreatchangeinherlife；butthenthedaywouldcomeforhim，too，togetmarried。Infact，hewasthinkingalreadyofthetimewhentherewouldbenoonelefttofightwithinEuropeandtheepochofwarswouldbeover。"I
　　expectthen，"hewrote，"tobewithinmeasurabledis-
　　tanceofamarshal'sbaton，andyouwillbeanex-
　　periencedmarriedwoman。Youshalllookoutawifeforme。Iwillbe，probably，baldbythen，andalittleblase。Ishallrequireayounggirl，prettyofcourse，andwithalargefortune，whichshouldhelpmetoclosemygloriouscareerinthesplendourbefittingmyexaltedrank。"Heendedwiththeinformationthathehadjustgivenalessontoaworrying，quarrelsomefellowwhoimaginedhehadagrievanceagainsthim。"Butifyou，inthedepthsofyourprovince，"hecontinued，"everhearitsaidthatyourbrotherisofaquarrelsomedisposition，don'tyoubelieveitonanyaccount。Thereisnosayingwhatgossipfromthearmymayreachyourinnocentears。Whateveryouhearyoumayrestassuredthatyourever-lovingbrotherisnotaduellist。"ThenCaptainD'Hubertcrumpleduptheblanksheetofpaperheadedwiththewords"Thisismylastwillandtesta-
　　ment，"andthrewitinthefirewithagreatlaughathimself。Hedidn'tcareasnapforwhatthatlunaticcoulddo。Hehadsuddenlyacquiredtheconvictionthathisadversarywasutterlypowerlesstoaffecthislifeinanysortofway；except，perhaps，inthewayofputtingaspecialexcitementintothedelightful，gayintervalsbetweenthecampaigns。
　　Fromthisontherewere，however，tobenopeacefulintervalsinthecareerofCaptainD'Hubert。HesawthefieldsofEylauandFriedland，marchedandcounter-
　　marchedinthesnow，inthemud，inthedustofPolishplains，pickingupdistinctionandadvancementonalltheroadsofNorth-easternEurope。Meantime，Cap-
　　tainFeraud，despatchedsouthwardswithhisregiment，madeunsatisfactorywarinSpain。ItwasonlywhenthepreparationsfortheRussiancampaignbeganthathewasorderednorthagain。Heleftthecountryofmantillasandorangeswithoutregret。
　　ThefirstsignsofanotunbecomingbaldnessaddedtotheloftyaspectofColonelD'Hubert'sforehead。
　　Thisfeaturewasnolongerwhiteandsmoothasinthedaysofhisyouth；thekindlyopenglanceofhisblueeyeshadgrownalittlehardasiffrommuchpeeringthroughthesmokeofbattles。TheebonycroponColonelFeraud'shead，coarseandcrinklylikeacapofhorsehair，showedmanysilverthreadsaboutthetemples。Adetestablewarfareofambushesandin-
　　glorioussurpriseshadnotimprovedhistemper。Thebeak-likecurveofhisnosewasunpleasantlysetoffbyadeepfoldoneachsideofhismouth。Theroundorbitsofhiseyesradiatedwrinkles。Morethaneverhere-
　　calledanirritableandstaringbird——somethinglikeacrossbetweenaparrotandanowl。Hewasstillex-
　　tremelyoutspokeninhisdislikeof"intriguingfellows。"
　　Heseizedeveryopportunitytostatethathedidnotpickuphisrankintheante-roomsofmarshals。Theunluckypersons，civilormilitary，who，withanin-
　　tentionofbeingpleasant，beggedColonelFeraudtotellthemhowhecamebythatveryapparentscarontheforehead，wereastonishedtofindthemselvessnubbedinvariousways，someofwhichweresimplyrudeandothersmysteriouslysardonic。Youngofficerswerewarnedkindlybytheirmoreexperiencedcomradesnottostareopenlyatthecolonel'sscar。Butindeedanofficerneedhavebeenveryyounginhisprofessionnottohaveheardthelegendarytaleofthatdueloriginatinginamysterious，unforgivableoffence。
　　III
　　TheretreatfromMoscowsubmergedallprivatefeelingsinaseaofdisasterandmisery。Colonelswithoutregiments，D'HubertandFeraudcarriedthemusketintheranksoftheso-calledsacredbattalion——abattalionrecruitedfromofficersofallarmswhohadnolongeranytroopstolead。
　　Inthatbattalionpromotedcolonelsdiddutyassergeants；thegeneralscaptainedthecompanies；amarshalofFrance，PrinceoftheEmpire，commandedthewhole。Allhadprovidedthemselveswithmusketspickedupontheroad，andwithcartridgestakenfromthedead。Inthegeneraldestructionofthebondsofdisciplineanddutyholdingtogetherthecompanies，thebattalions，theregiments，thebrigades，anddivisionsofanarmedhost，thisbodyofmenputitsprideinpre-
　　servingsomesemblanceoforderandformation。Theonlystragglerswerethosewhofellouttogiveuptothefrosttheirexhaustedsouls。Theyploddedon，andtheirpassagedidnotdisturbthemortalsilenceoftheplains，shiningwiththelividlightofsnowsunderaskythecolourofashes。Whirlwindsranalongthefields，brokeagainstthedarkcolumn，envelopeditinatur-
　　moilofflyingicicles，andsubsided，disclosingitcreepingonitstragicwaywithouttheswingandrhythmofthemilitarypace。Itstruggledonwards，themenex-
　　changingneitherwordsnorlooks；wholeranksmarchedtouchingelbow，dayafterdayandneverraisingtheireyesfromtheground，asiflostindespairingreflections。
　　Inthedumb，blackforestsofpinesthecrackingofover-
　　loadedbrancheswastheonlysoundtheyheard。Oftenfromdaybreaktodusknoonespokeinthewholecolumn。Itwaslikeamacabremarchofstrugglingcorpsestowardsadistantgrave。OnlyanalarmofCossackscouldrestoretotheireyesasemblanceofmartialresolution。Thebattalionfacedaboutanddeployed，orformedsquareundertheendlessflutteringofsnowflakes。Acloudofhorsemenwithfurcapsontheirheads，levelledlonglances，andyelled"Hurrah!
　　Hurrah!"aroundtheirmenacingimmobilitywhence，withmuffleddetonations，hundredsofdarkredflamesdartedthroughtheairthickwithfallingsnow。Inaveryfewmomentsthehorsemenwoulddisappear，asifcarriedoffyellinginthegale，andthesacredbattalionstandingstill，aloneintheblizzard，heardonlythehowlingofthewind，whoseblastssearchedtheirveryhearts。Then，withacryortwoof"Vivel'Empereur!"
　　itwouldresumeitsmarch，leavingbehindafewlife-
　　lessbodieslyinghuddledup，tinyblackspecksonthewhiteimmensityofthesnows。
　　Thoughoftenmarchingintheranks，orskirmishinginthewoodssidebyside，thetwoofficersignoredeachother；thisnotsomuchfrominimicalintentionasfromaveryrealindifference。Alltheirstoreofmoralenergywasexpendedinresistingtheterrificenmityofnatureandthecrushingsenseofirretrievabledisaster。Tothelasttheycountedamongthemostactive，theleastdemoralizedofthebattalion；theirvigorousvitalityinvestedthembothwiththeappearanceofanheroicpairintheeyesoftheircomrades。Andtheyneverexchangedmorethanacasualwordortwo，exceptoneday，whenskirmishinginfrontofthebattalionagainstaworryingattackofcavalry，theyfoundthemselvescutoffinthewoodsbyasmallpartyofCossacks。Ascoreoffur-capped，hairyhorsemenrodetoandfro，brandish-
　　ingtheirlancesinominoussilence；butthetwoofficershadnomindtolaydowntheirarms，andColonelFeraudsuddenlyspokeupinahoarse，growlingvoice，bringinghisfirelocktotheshoulder。"Youtakethenearestbrute，ColonelD'Hubert；I'llsettlethenextone。Iamabettershotthanyouare。"
　　ColonelD'Hubertnoddedoverhislevelledmusket。
　　Theirshoulderswerepressedagainstthetrunkofalargetree；ontheirfrontenormoussnowdriftsprotectedthemfromadirectcharge。Twocarefullyaimedshotsrangoutinthefrostyair，twoCossacksreeledintheirsaddles。Therest，notthinkingthegamegoodenough，closedroundtheirwoundedcomradesandgallopedawayoutofrange。Thetwoofficersmanagedtorejointheirbattalionhaltedforthenight。Duringthatafter-
　　noontheyhadleaneduponeachothermorethanonce，andtowardstheend，ColonelD'Hubert，whoselonglegsgavehimanadvantageinwalkingthroughsoftsnow，peremptorilytookthemusketofColonelFeraudfromhimandcarrieditonhisshoulder，usinghisownasastaff。
　　Ontheoutskirtsofavillagehalfburiedinthesnowanoldwoodenbarnburnedwithaclearandanim-
　　menseflame。Thesacredbattalionofskeletons，muffledinrags，crowdedgreedilythewindwardside，stretchinghundredsofnumbed，bonyhandstotheblaze。Nobodyhadnotedtheirapproach。Beforeenteringthecircleoflightplayingonthesunken，glassy-
　　eyed，starvedfaces，ColonelD'Hubertspokeinhisturn:
　　"Here'syourmusket，ColonelFeraud。Icanwalkbetterthanyou。"
　　ColonelFeraudnodded，andpushedontowardsthewarmthofthefierceflames。ColonelD'Hubertwasmoredeliberate，butnotthelessbentongettingaplaceinthefrontrank。Thosetheyshoulderedasidetriedtogreetwithafaintcheerthereappearanceofthetwoindomitablecompanionsinactivityandendurance。
　　Thosemanlyqualitieshadneverperhapsreceivedahighertributethanthisfeebleacclamation。
　　ThisisthefaithfulrecordofspeechesexchangedduringtheretreatfromMoscowbyColonelsFeraudandD'Hubert。ColonelFeraud'staciturnitywastheout-
　　comeofconcentratedrage。Short，hairy，blackfaced，withlayersofgrimeandthethicksproutingofawirybeard，afrost-bittenhandwrappedupinfilthyragscarriedinasling，heaccusedfateofunparalleledperfidytowardsthesublimeManofDestiny。ColonelD'Hubert，hislongmoustachespendentiniciclesoneachsideofhiscrackedbluelips，hiseyelidsinflamedwiththeglareofsnows，theprincipalpartofhiscostumeconsistingofasheepskincoatlootedwithdifficultyfromthefrozencorpseofacampfollowerfoundinanabandonedcart，tookamorethoughtfulviewofevents。
　　Hisregularlyhandsomefeatures，nowreducedtomerebonylinesandfleshlesshollows，lookedoutofawoman'sblackvelvethood，overwhichwasrammedforciblyacockedhatpickedupunderthewheelsofanemptyarmyfourgon，whichmusthavecontainedatonetimesomegeneralofficer'sluggage。Thesheepskincoatbeingshortforamanofhisinchesendedveryhighup，andtheskinofhislegs，bluewiththecold，showedthroughthetattersofhisnethergarments。Thisunderthecircumstancesprovokedneitherjeersnorpity。Noonecaredhowthenextmanfeltorlooked。
　　ColonelD'Huberthimself，hardenedtoexposure，suf-
　　feredmainlyinhisself-respectfromthelamentablein-
　　decencyofhiscostume。Athoughtlesspersonmaythinkthatwithawholehostofinanimatebodiesbe-
　　strewingthepathofretreattherecouldnothavebeenmuchdifficultyinsupplyingthedeficiency。Buttolootapairofbreechesfromafrozencorpseisnotsoeasyasitmayappeartoameretheorist。Itrequirestimeandlabour。Youmustremainbehindwhileyourcompanionsmarchon。ColonelD'Huberthadhisscruplesastofallingout。Oncehehadsteppedasidehecouldnotbesureofeverrejoininghisbattalion；andtheghastlyintimacyofawrestlingmatchwiththefrozendeadopposingtheunyieldingrigidityofirontoyourviolencewasrepugnanttothedelicacyofhisfeelings。Luckily，oneday，grubbinginamoundofsnowbetweenthehutsofavillageinthehopeoffindingthereafrozenpotatoorsomevegetablegarbagehecouldputbetweenhislongandshakyteeth，ColonelD'HubertuncoveredacoupleofmatsofthesortRussianpeasantsusetolinethesidesoftheircartswith。
　　These，beatenfreeoffrozensnow，bentabouthiselegantpersonandfastenedsolidlyroundhiswaist，madeabell-shapednethergarment，asortofstiffpetti-
　　coat，whichrenderedColonelD'Hubertaperfectlydecent，butamuchmorenoticeablefigurethanbefore。
　　Thusaccoutred，hecontinuedtoretreat，neverdoubt-
　　ingofhispersonalescape，butfullofothermisgivings。
　　Theearlybuoyancyofhisbeliefinthefuturewasdestroyed。Iftheroadofgloryledthroughsuchunfore-
　　seenpassages，heaskedhimself——forhewasreflective——
　　whethertheguidewasaltogethertrustworthy。Itwasapatrioticsadness，notunmingledwithsomepersonalconcern，andquiteunliketheunreasoningindignationagainstmenandthingsnursedbyColonelFeraud。
　　RecruitinghisstrengthinalittleGermantownforthreeweeks，ColonelD'Hubertwassurprisedtodiscoverwithinhimselfaloveofrepose。Hisreturningvigourwasstrangelypacificinitsaspirations。Hemeditatedsilentlyuponthisbizarrechangeofmood。Nodoubtmanyofhisbrotherofficersoffieldrankwentthroughthesamemoralexperience。Butthesewerenotthetimestotalkofit。InoneofhislettershomeColonelD'Hubertwrote，"Allyourplans，mydearLeonie，formarryingmetothecharminggirlyouhavediscoveredinyourneighbourhood，seemfartheroffthanever。
　　Peaceisnotyet。Europewantsanotherlesson。Itwillbeahardtaskforus，butitshallbedone，becausetheEmperorisinvincible。"
　　ThuswroteColonelD'HubertfromPomeraniatohismarriedsisterLeonie，settledinthesouthofFrance。
　　AndsofarthesentimentsexpressedwouldnothavebeendisownedbyColonelFeraud，whowrotenoletterstoanybody，whosefatherhadbeeninlifeanilliterateblacksmith，whohadnosisterorbrother，andwhomnoonedesiredardentlytopairoffforalifeofpeacewithacharmingyounggirl。ButColonelD'Hubert'slettercontainedalsosomephilosophicalgeneralitiesupontheuncertaintyofallpersonalhopes，whenboundupentirelywiththeprestigiousfortuneofoneincompar-
　　ablygreatitistrue，yetstillremainingbutamaninhisgreatness。ThisviewwouldhaveappearedrankheresytoColonelFeraud。Somemelancholyfore-
　　bodingsofamilitarykind，expressedcautiously，wouldhavebeenpronouncedasnothingshortofhightreasonbyColonelFeraud。ButLeonie，thesisterofColonelD'Hubert，readthemwithprofoundsatisfaction，and，foldingtheletterthoughtfully，remarkedtoherselfthat"Armandwaslikelytoproveeventuallyasensiblefellow。"SincehermarriageintoaSouthernfamilyshehadbecomeaconvincedbelieverinthereturnofthelegitimateking。Hopefulandanxioussheofferedprayersnightandmorning，andburntcandlesinchurchesforthesafetyandprosperityofherbrother。
　　Shehadeveryreasontosupposethatherprayerswereheard。ColonelD'HubertpassedthroughLutzen，Bautzen，andLeipsiclosingnolimb，andacquiringadditionalreputation。Adaptinghisconducttotheneedsofthatdesperatetime，hehadnevervoicedhismisgivings。HeconcealedthemunderacheerfulcourtesyofsuchpleasantcharacterthatpeoplewereinclinedtoaskthemselveswithwonderwhetherColonelD'Hubertwasawareofanydisasters。Notonlyhismanners，butevenhisglancesremaineduntroubled。
　　Thesteadyamenityofhisblueeyesdisconcertedallgrumblers，andmadedespairitselfpause。
　　ThisbearingwasremarkedfavourablybytheEmperorhimself；forColonelD'Hubert，attachednowtotheMajor-General'sstaff，cameonseveraloccasionsundertheimperialeye。ButitexasperatedthehigherstrungnatureofColonelFeraud。PassingthroughMagdeburgonservice，thislastallowedhimself，whileseatedgloomilyatdinnerwiththeCommandantdePlace，tosayofhislife-longadversary:"ThismandoesnotlovetheEmperor，"andhiswordswerereceivedbytheotherguestsinprofoundsilence。ColonelFeraud，troubledinhisconscienceattheatrocityoftheasper-
　　sion，felttheneedtobackitupbyagoodargument。
　　"Ioughttoknowhim，"hecried，addingsomeoaths。
　　"Onestudiesone'sadversary。Ihavemethimonthegroundhalfadozentimes，asallthearmyknows。
　　Whatmoredoyouwant?Ifthatisn'topportunityenoughforanyfooltosizeuphisman，maythedeviltakemeifIcantellwhatis。"Andhelookedaroundthetable，obstinateandsombre。
　　LateroninParis，whileextremelybusyreorganizinghisregiment，ColonelFeraudlearnedthatColonelD'Huberthadbeenmadeageneral。Heglaredathisinformantincredulously，thenfoldedhisarmsandturnedawaymuttering，"Nothingsurprisesmeonthepartofthatman。"
　　Andaloudheadded，speakingoverhisshoulder，"YouwouldobligemegreatlybytellingGeneralD'Hubertatthefirstopportunitythathisadvancementsaveshimforatimefromaprettyhotencounter。I
　　wasonlywaitingforhimtoturnuphere。"
　　Theotherofficerremonstrated。
　　"Couldyouthinkofit，ColonelFeraud，atthistime，wheneverylifeshouldbeconsecratedtothegloryandsafetyofFrance?"
　　Butthestrainofunhappinesscausedbymilitaryre-
　　verseshadspoiledColonelFeraud'scharacter。Likemanyothermen，hewasrenderedwickedbymisfortune。
　　"IcannotconsiderGeneralD'Hubert'sexistenceofanyaccounteitherforthegloryorsafetyofFrance，"
　　hesnappedviciously。"Youdon'tpretend，perhaps，toknowhimbetterthanIdo——Iwhohavemethimhalfadozentimesontheground——doyou?"
　　Hisinterlocutor，ayoungman，wassilenced。ColonelFeraudwalkedupanddowntheroom。
　　"Thisisnotthetimetomincematters，"hesaid。"I
　　can'tbelievethatthatmaneverlovedtheEmperor。
　　Hepickeduphisgeneral'sstarsunderthebootsofMarshalBerthier。Verywell。I'llgetmineinanotherfashion，andthenweshallsettlethisbusinesswhichhasbeendraggingontoolong。"
　　GeneralD'Hubert，informedindirectlyofColonelFeraud'sattitude，madeagestureasiftoputasideanimportunateperson。Histhoughtsweresolicitedbygravercares。Hehadhadnotimetogoandseehisfamily。Hissister，whoseroyalisthopeswererisinghighereveryday，thoughproudofherbrother，re-
　　grettedhisrecentadvancementinameasure，becauseitputonhimaprominentmarkoftheusurper'sfavour，whichlateroncouldhaveanadverseinfluenceuponhiscareer。Hewrotetoherthatnoonebutaninveterateenemycouldsayhehadgothispromotionbyfavour。
　　Astohiscareer，heassuredherthathelookednofartherforwardintothefuturethanthenextbattlefield。
　　BeginningthecampaignofFranceinthisdoggedspirit，GeneralD'HubertwaswoundedontheseconddayofthebattleunderLaon。WhilebeingcarriedoffthefieldheheardthatColonelFeraud，promotedthismomenttogeneral，hadbeensenttoreplacehimattheheadofhisbrigade。Hecursedhisluckimpulsively，notbeingableatthefirstglancetodiscernallthead-
　　vantagesofanastywound。AndyetitwasbythisheroicmethodthatProvidencewasshapinghisfuture。
　　Travellingslowlysouthtohissister'scountryhomeunderthecareofatrustyoldservant，GeneralD'Hu-
　　bertwassparedthehumiliatingcontactsandtheper-
　　plexitiesofconductwhichassailedthemenofNapole-
　　onicempireatthemomentofitsdownfall。Lyinginhisbed，withthewindowsofhisroomopenwidetothesunshineofProvence，heperceivedtheundisguisedaspectoftheblessingconveyedbythatjaggedfrag-
　　mentofaPrussianshell，which，killinghishorseandrippingopenhisthigh，savedhimfromanactivecon-
　　flictwithhisconscience。Afterthelastfourteenyearsspentswordinhandinthesaddle，andwiththesenseofhisdutydonetotheveryend，GeneralD'Hubertfoundresignationaneasyvirtue。Hissisterwasdelightedwithhisreasonableness。"Ileavemyselfaltogetherinyourhands，mydearLeonie，"hehadsaidtoher。
　　Hewasstilllaidupwhen，thecreditofhisbrother-
　　in-law'sfamilybeingexertedonhisbehalf，hereceivedfromtheroyalgovernmentnotonlytheconfirmationofhisrank，buttheassuranceofbeingretainedontheactivelist。Tothiswasaddedanunlimitedconva-
　　lescentleave。TheunfavourableopinionentertainedofhiminBonapartistcircles，thoughitrestedonnoth-
　　ingmoresolidthantheunsupportedpronouncementofGeneralFeraud，wasdirectlyresponsibleforGeneralD'Hubert'sretentionontheactivelist。AstoGeneralFeraud，hisrankwasconfirmed，too。Itwasmorethanhedaredtoexpect；butMarshalSoult，thenMinisterofWartotherestoredking，waspartialtoofficerswhohadservedinSpain。Onlynoteventhemarshal'sprotectioncouldsecureforhimactiveemployment。
　　Heremainedirreconcilable，idle，andsinister。Hesoughtinobscurerestaurantsthecompanyofotherhalf-payofficerswhocherisheddingybutgloriousoldtricolourcockadesintheirbreast-pockets，andbuttonedwiththeforbiddeneaglebuttonstheirshabbyuniforms，declaringthemselvestoopoortoaffordtheexpenseoftheprescribedchange。
　　ThetriumphantreturnfromElba，anhistoricalfactasmarvellousandincredibleastheexploitsofsomemythologicaldemi-god，foundGeneralD'Hubertstillquiteunabletositahorse。Neithercouldhewalkverywell。Thesedisabilities，whichMadameLeonieaccountedmostlucky，helpedtokeepherbrotheroutofallpossiblemischief。Hisframeofmindatthattime，shenotedwithdismay，becameveryfarfromreason-
　　able。Thisgeneralofficer，stillmenacedbythelossofalimb，wasdiscoveredonenightinthestablesofthechateaubyagroom，who，seeingalight，raisedanalarmofthieves。Hiscrutchwaslyinghalf-buriedinthestrawofthelitter，andthegeneralwashoppingononeleginalooseboxaroundasnortinghorsehewastryingtosaddle。Suchweretheeffectsofimperialmagicuponacalmtemperamentandaponderedmind。
　　Besetinthelightofstablelanterns，bythetears，en-
　　treaties，indignation，remonstrancesandreproachesofhisfamily，hegotoutofthedifficultsituationbyfaintingawaythereandtheninthearmsofhisnearestrelatives，andwascarriedofftobed。Beforehegotoutofitagain，thesecondreignofNapoleon，theHundredDaysoffeverishagitationandsupremeeffort，passedawaylikeaterrifyingdream。Thetragicyear1815，beguninthetroubleandunrestofconsciences，wasendinginvengefulproscriptions。
　　HowGeneralFeraudescapedtheclutchesoftheSpecialCommissionandthelastofficesofafiringsquadheneverknewhimself。ItwaspartlyduetothesubordinatepositionhewasassignedduringtheHun-
　　dredDays。TheEmperorhadnevergivenhimactivecommand，buthadkepthimbusyatthecavalrydepotinParis，mountinganddespatchinghastilydrilledtroopersintothefield。Consideringthistaskasunworthyofhisabilities，hehaddischargeditwithnooffensivelynoticeablezeal；butforthegreaterparthewassavedfromtheexcessesofRoyalistreactionbytheinterferenceofGeneralD'Hubert。
　　Thislast，stillonconvalescentleave，butablenowtotravel，hadbeendespatchedbyhissistertoParistopresenthimselftohislegitimatesovereign。Asnooneinthecapitalcouldpossiblyknowanythingoftheepisodeinthestablehewasreceivedtherewithdistinc-
　　tion。Militarytotheverybottomofhissoul，thepros-
　　pectofrisinginhisprofessionconsoledhimfromfindinghimselfthebuttofBonapartistmalevolence，whichpursuedhimwithapersistencehecouldnotaccountfor。AlltherancourofthatembitteredandpersecutedpartypointedtohimasthemanwhohadneverlovedtheEmperor——asortofmonsteressentiallyworsethanamerebetrayer。
　　GeneralD'Hubertshruggedhisshoulderswithoutangeratthisferociousprejudice。Rejectedbyhisoldfriends，andmistrustingprofoundlytheadvancesofRoyalistsociety，theyoungandhandsomegeneralhewasbarelyfortyadoptedamannerofcold，punctiliouscourtesy，whichatthemerestshadowofanintendedslightpassedeasilyintoharshhaughtiness。Thuspre-
　　pared，GeneralD'HubertwentabouthisaffairsinParisfeelinginwardlyveryhappywiththepeculiarup-
　　liftinghappinessofamanverymuchinlove。Thecharminggirllookedoutbyhissisterhadcomeuponthescene，andhadconqueredhiminthethoroughmannerinwhichayounggirlbymerelyexistinginhissightcanmakeamanoffortyherown。Theywerego-
　　ingtobemarriedassoonasGeneralD'Huberthadobtainedhisofficialnominationtoapromisedcom-
　　mand。
　　Oneafternoon，sittingontheterrasseoftheCafeTortoni，GeneralD'Hubertlearnedfromthecon-
　　versationoftwostrangersoccupyingatablenearhisown，thatGeneralFeraud，includedinthebatchofsuperiorofficersarrestedafterthesecondreturnoftheking，wasindangerofpassingbeforetheSpecialCom-
　　mission。Livingallhissparemoments，asisfrequentlythecasewithexpectantlovers，adayinadvanceofreality，andinastateofbestarredhallucination，itrequirednothinglessthanthenameofhisperpetualantagonistpronouncedinaloudvoicetocalltheyoungestofNapoleon'sgeneralsawayfromthementalcontemplationofhisbetrothed。Helookedround。Thestrangersworecivilianclothes。Leanandweather-beaten，lollingbackintheirchairs，theyscowledatpeoplewithmoodyanddefiantabstractionfromundertheirhatspulledlowovertheireyes。ItwasnotdifficulttorecognizethemfortwoofthecompulsorilyretiredofficersoftheOldGuard。Asfrombravadoorcarelessnesstheychosetospeakinloudtones，GeneralD'Hubert，whosawnoreasonwhyheshouldchangehisseat，heardeveryword。TheydidnotseemtobethepersonalfriendsofGeneralFeraud。
　　Hisnamecameupamongstothers。Hearingitrepeated，GeneralD'Hubert'stenderanticipationsofadomesticfutureadornedwithawoman'sgraceweretraversedbytheharshregretofhiswarlikepast，ofthatonelong，intoxicatingclashofarms，uniqueinthemagnitudeofitsgloryanddisaster——themarvellousworkandthespecialpossessionofhisowngeneration。
　　Hefeltanirrationaltendernesstowardshisoldadver-
　　saryandappreciatedemotionallythemurderousab-
　　surditytheirencounterhadintroducedintohislife。Itwaslikeanadditionalpinchofspiceinahotdish。Herememberedtheflavourwithsuddenmelancholy。Hewouldnevertasteitagain。Itwasallover。"Ifancyitwasbeingleftlyinginthegardenthathadexasperatedhimsoagainstmefromthefirst，"hethought，indul-
　　gently。
　　ThetwostrangersatthenexttablehadfallensilentafterthethirdmentionofGeneralFeraud'sname。Pres-
　　entlytheelderofthetwo，speakingagaininabittertone，affirmedthatGeneralFeraud'saccountwasset-
　　tled。Andwhy?Simplybecausehewasnotlikesomebigwigswholovedonlythemselves。TheRoyalistsknewtheycouldnevermakeanythingofhim。HelovedTheOthertoowell。
　　TheOtherwastheManofSt。Helena。Thetwoofficersnoddedandtouchedglassesbeforetheydranktoanimpossiblereturn。Thenthesamewhohadspokenbefore，remarkedwithasardoniclaugh，"Hisadversaryshowedmorecleverness。"
　　"Whatadversary?"askedtheyounger，asifpuzzled。
　　"Don'tyouknow?Theyweretwohussars。Ateachpromotiontheyfoughtaduel。Haven'tyouheardoftheduelgoingoneversince1801?"
　　Theotherhadheardoftheduel，ofcourse。Nowheunderstoodtheallusion。GeneralBaronD'Hubertwouldbeablenowtoenjoyhisfatking'sfavourinpeace。
　　"Muchgoodmayitdotohim，"mumbledtheelder。
　　"Theywerebothbravemen。IneversawthisD'Hu-
　　bert——asortofintriguingdandy，Iamtold。ButIcanwellbelievewhatI'veheardFeraudsayofhim——thatheneverlovedtheEmperor。"
　　Theyroseandwentaway。
　　GeneralD'Hubertexperiencedthehorrorofasom-
　　nambulistwhowakesupfromacomplacentdreamofactivitytofindhimselfwalkingonaquagmire。A
　　profounddisgustofthegroundonwhichhewasmakinghiswayovercamehim。Eventheimageofthecharm-
　　inggirlwassweptfromhisviewinthefloodofmoraldistress。EverythinghehadeverbeenorhopedtobewouldtasteofbitterignominyunlesshecouldmanagetosaveGeneralFeraudfromthefatewhichthreatenedsomanybraves。Undertheimpulseofthisalmostmorbidneedtoattendtothesafetyofhisadversary，GeneralD'HubertworkedsowellwithhandsandfeetastheFrenchsayingis，thatinlessthantwenty-fourhourshefoundmeansofobtaininganextraordinaryprivateaudiencefromtheMinisterofPolice。
　　GeneralBaronD'Hubertwasshowninsuddenlywithoutpreliminaries。IntheduskoftheMinister'scabinet，behindtheformsofwriting-desk，chairs，andtables，betweentwobunchesofwaxcandlesblazinginsconces，hebeheldafigureinagorgeouscoatposturingbeforeatallmirror。TheoldconventionnelFouche；，SenatoroftheEmpire，traitortoeveryman，toeveryprincipleandmotiveofhumanconduct。DukeofOtran-
　　to，andthewilyartizanofthesecondRestoration，wastryingthefitofacourtsuitinwhichhisyoungandaccomplishedfianceehaddeclaredherintentiontohavehisportraitpaintedonporcelain。Itwasacaprice，acharmingfancywhichthefirstMinisterofPoliceofthesecondRestorationwasanxioustogratify。Forthatman，oftencomparedinwilinessofconducttoafox，butwhoseethicalsidecouldbeworthilysymbolizedbynothinglessemphaticthanaskunk，wasasmuchpossessedbyhisloveasGeneralD'Huberthimself。
　　Startledtobediscoveredthusbytheblunderofaservant，hemetthislittlevexationwiththecharacteris-
　　ticimpudencewhichhadservedhisturnsowellintheendlessintriguesofhisself-seekingcareer。Withoutalteringhisattitudeahair's-breadth，oneleginasilkstockingadvanced，hisheadtwistedoverhisleftshoulder，hecalledoutcalmly，"Thisway，General。
　　Prayapproach。Well?Iamallattention。"
　　WhileGeneralD'Hubert，illateaseasifoneofhisownlittleweaknesseshadbeenexposed，presentedhisrequestasshortlyaspossible，theDukeofOtrantowentonfeelingthefitofhiscollar，settlingthelapelsbeforetheglass，andbucklinghisbackinanefforttobeholdthesetofthegoldembroideredcoat-skirtsbehind。Hisstillface，hisattentiveeyes，couldnothaveexpressedamorecompleteinterestinthosemattersifhehadbeenalone。