Whatever the contents of Colonel Mahon’s letter, they did not plead very favourably for me with Colonel Hacque, my new commanding officer; neither, to all seeming, did my own appearance weigh anything in my favour. Raising his eyes at intervals from the letter to stare at me, he uttered some broken phrases of discontent and displeasure; at last he said--‘What’s the object of this letter, sir; to what end have you presented it to me?’ ‘As I am ignorant of its contents, mon colonel,’ said I calmly, ‘I can scarcely answer the question.’ ‘Well, sir, it informs me that you are the son of a certain Count Tiernay, who has long since paid the price of his nobility; and that, being an especial protégé of the writer, he takes occasion to present you to me; now I ask again, with what object?’ ‘I presume, sir, to obtain for me the honour which I now enjoy--to become personally known to you.’ ‘I know every soldier under my command, sir,’ said he rebukingly, ‘as you will soon learn if you remain in my regiment. I have no need of recommendatory letters on that score. As to your grade of corporal, it is not confirmed; time enough when your services shall have shown that you deserve promotion. _Parbleu!_ sir, you’ll have to show other claims than your ci-devant countship.’ Colonel Mahon gave me a horse, sir; may I be permitted to retain him as a regimental mount?’ asked I timidly. ‘We want horses--what is he like?’ ‘Three-quarters Arab, and splendid in action, sir.’ ‘Then, of course, unfit for service and field manoeuvres. Send him to the état-major. The Republic will find a fitting mount for you; you may retire.’ And I did retire, with a heart almost bursting between anger and disappointment. What a future did this opening present to me! What a realisation this of all my flattering hopes!