human
Where are you going, my young citizen?
gpt
Captain, replied the boy, believing that he must give a lengthy explanation,
human
I have come from Strasbourg, and I am on my way to General Pichegru's headquarters at Auenheim. Is that very far off?
gpt
About two hundred paces, replied the man in the white cloak;
human
Thank you,
gpt
Faith, young man, continued the man in the white cloak,
human
What home, citizen?
gpt
Come, said the latter,
human
Well, asked the young man,
gpt
No, citizen; I was only thinking that Theophrastus, who was first called Tyrtamus, and whom the Athenians, as his name indicates, had surnamed the 'fine speaker,' was recognized as a Lesbian by his accent, after fifty years sojourn at Athens, by a dealer in herbs.
human
You are learned, sir, replied the young man, smiling.
gpt
That is a luxury in these days.
human
No, for I am on my way to General Pichegru, who is very learned himself. I hope to become his secretary, thanks to my letter of recommendation. And you, citizen, do you belong to the army?
gpt
Not exactly.
human
Then, said Charles,
gpt
Attached--that's the word. Only I am not attached to the administration; I am attached to myself.
human
But, said Charles, lowering his voice,
gpt
Oh! I say, captain, laughed the young man,
human
Poor devil!
gpt
Tell me, continued the young man in the white cloak,
human
I do not deny it,
gpt
You must know a family there named Sainte-Hermine.
human
Yes, a widowed mother whose husband was guillotined eight months ago.
gpt
That is the one,
human
And three sons.
gpt
Three sons! yes, there are still three,
human
The eldest, the Comte de Sainte-Hermine, who emigrated, and two others younger than he; one is about twenty and the other is not more than fourteen or fifteen.
gpt
Thank you; how long is it since you left Besançon?
human
About eight days.
gpt
Then you can give me some recent news about this family?
human
Yes, but it is sad news.
gpt
Tell it nevertheless.
human
The night before I left, my father and I attended the funeral of the countess.
gpt
Ah! exclaimed the young man, as if he had received an unexpected blow;
human
Yes.
gpt
So much the better,
human
What do you mean?
gpt
Yes, replied the young man,
human
What? has the Comte de Sainte-Hermine been shot?
gpt
No, but he is going to be.
human
When?
gpt
Why, as soon as we reach the fortress of Auenheim; that is where the executions usually take place.
human
Then the count is at the fortress?
gpt
No, they are taking him there.
human
And they will shoot him?
gpt
As soon as I get there.
human
Then you have charge of the execution?
gpt
No, but I hope they will let me give the order to fire. That is a favor that is seldom refused to any brave soldier taken with his arms in his hand, even if he has emigrated.
human
Oh, heavens! exclaimed Charles, catching a glimpse of the truth.
gpt
Are--
human
Exactly, my young friend. That is why I laughed when you recommended prudence, and why I offered to give my place to any one who wanted it, for I have no fear of losing it. As you said, I am attached.
gpt
Then, cried Charles, with a movement of terror,
human
The Comte de Sainte-Hermine, my child. You see I was right when I said that it is well my poor mother is dead.
gpt
Oh!
human
Luckily, he continued between his teeth,