A moment later he raised his eyes to my foster-sister and cried surprised: "You here--here, Victoria? Oh, yes! I was with you shortly ago--I had forgotten. Excuse me. My head swims. Alas! I am a father--I have a son almost of the age of this unfortunate boy. More than anyone else, I pity you!" "Time presses and the occasion is grave," replied my foster-sister solemnly while she fastened a penetrating look upon Tetrik in order to fathom the man's most hidden thoughts. "Private sorrow is hushed before the public interest. I have my whole life left to weep my son and grandson; but we have only a few hours to consider the succession of the Chief of Gaul and of the general of the army--" "What!" exclaimed Tetrik. "At such a moment as this--" "I wish that before daylight breaks upon us, I, Captain Marion and you, Tetrik, my relative, one of my most faithful friends, you, who are so devoted to Gaul, you, who grieve so bitterly over Victorin--I wish that we three revolve in our wisdom what man we shall to-morrow propose to the army as my son's successor." "Victoria, you are a heroic woman!" cried Tetrik clasping his hands in admiration. "You match with your courage and patriotism the most august women who have honored the world!" "What is your opinion, Tetrik, as to the successor of Victorin? Captain Marion and myself will speak after you," the Mother of the Camps proceeded to say without noticing the praises of the Governor of Gascony. "Yes, whom do you think capable of replacing my son--to the glory and advantage of Gaul?" "How can I give you my opinion?" Tetrik replied dejectedly. "How can I give you advice upon a matter of such gravity, when my heart is racked with pain--it is impossible!" "It is possible, since you see me here--between the corpses of my son and my grandson--ready to give my opinion--" "If you insist, Victoria, I shall speak, provided I can collect my thoughts. I am of the opinion that Gaul needs for her chief a wise, firm and enlightened man, a man who inclines to peace rather than to war--especially now when we no longer have the neighborhood of the Franks to fear, thanks to the sword of this young hero, whom I loved and will eternally mourn--" At this moment the governor interrupted himself to give renewed vent to his grief. "We shall weep later," said Victoria. "Life is long enough, but the night is short. It will soon be morning." Tetrik wiped his eyes and proceeded: "As I was saying, the successor of our Victorin should, above all, be a man of good judgment, and of long and approved devotion in the service of our beloved Gaul. Now, then, if I am not mistaken, the only one whom I can think of who unites these virtues, is Captain Marion, whom we see here." "I!" cried the captain raising his two enormous hands heavenward. "I, the Chief of Gaul! Grief makes you talk like a fool! I, Chief of Gaul!"