‘Most of ours are such,’ said I, my shame increasing at every word--‘but somehow they chose me also, and I had no will in the matter----’ ‘No will in the matter, _parbleu!_ and why not? Every man in France has a right to meet the enemy in the field. Thou art a soldier, a hussar of the 9th, a brave and gallant corps, and art to be told that thy comrades have the road to fame and honour open to them, whilst thou art to mope away life like an invalided drummer? It is too gross an indignity, my boy, and must not be borne. Away with you to-morrow at daybreak to the état-major; ask to see the Commandant. You’re in luck, too, for our colonel is with him now, and he is sure to back your request. Say that you served in the school to oblige your superiors, but that you cannot see all chances of distinction lost to you for ever by remaining there. They’ve given you no grade yet, I see,’ continued he, looking at my arm. ‘None; I am still a private.’ ‘And I a sous-lieutenant, just because I have been where powder was flashing! You can ride well, of course?’ ‘I defy the wildest Limousin to shake me in my saddle.’ ‘And, as a swordsman, what are you?’ ‘Gros Jean calls me his best pupil.’ ‘Ah, true! you have Gros Jean here, the best _sabreur_ in France! And here you are--a horseman, and one of Gros Jean’s _élèves_--rotting away life in Nancy! Have you any friends in the service?’ ‘Not one.’ ‘Not one! Nor relations, nor connections?’ ‘None. I am Irish by descent. My family are only French by one generation.’ ‘Irish! Ah! that’s lucky too,’ said he. ‘Our colonel is an Irishman. His name is Mahon. You’re certain of getting your leave now. I’ll present you to him to-morrow. We are to halt two days here, and before that is over, I hope you’ll have made your last caracole in the riding-school of Nancy.’ ‘But remember,’ cried I, ‘that although Irish by family, I have never been there. I know nothing of either the people or the language--and do not present me to the general as his countryman.’ ‘I’ll call you by your name, as a soldier of the 9th Hussars, and leave you to make out your claim as countrymen, if you please, together.’ This course was now agreed upon, and after some further talking, my friend, refusing all my offers of a bed, coolly wrapped his cloak about him, and, with his head on the table, fell fast asleep, long before I had ceased thinking over his stories and his adventures in camp and battlefield. CHAPTER VIII. ‘TRONCHON’