"I came to bid you good-bye, my kind host," replied the general. "Already? Ah, see what life is! I must tell you now that only yesterday I had all sorts of prejudices against you before your arrival." "Had you? And yet you welcomed me most cordially." "Bah!" said the marquis, laughing; "you've been in Egypt. Did you never receive a few shots from the midst of a cool and pleasant oasis?" "Bless me, yes! The Arabs regard an oasis as the best of ambuscades." "Well, I was something of an Arab last night; and I say my _mea culpa_, regretting it all the more because I am really and truly sorry you leave me so soon." "Is it because there is still an unexplored corner of your oasis you want me to see?" "No; it is because your frankness, loyalty, and the community of dangers we have shared (in opposite camps) inspired me--I scarcely know why, but instantly--with a sincere and deep regard for you." "On your word as a gentleman?" "On my word as a gentleman and a soldier." "Well, then, I offer you my friendship in return, my dear enemy," replied Dermoncourt. "I expected to find an old _émigré_, powdered like a white frost, stiff and haughty, and larded with antediluvian prejudices--" "And you've found out that a man may wear powder and have no prejudices,--is that it, general?" "I found a frank and loyal heart and an amiable,--bah! let's say the word openly,--jovial nature, and this with exquisite manners, which might seem to exclude all that; in short, you've seduced an old veteran, who is heartily yours." "Well, it gives me a great deal of pleasure to hear you say so. Come, stay one more day with me!" "Impossible!" "Well, I have nothing to say against that decisive word; but make me a promise that you will pay me a visit after the peace, if we are both of us still living." "After the peace!" cried the general, laughing. "Are we at war?" "We are between peace and war." "Yes, the happy medium." "Well, let us say after the happy medium. Promise you will come and see me then?" "Yes, I give you my word." "And I shall hold you to it." "But come, let us talk seriously," said the general, taking a chair and sitting down at the foot of the old _émigré's_ bed. "I am willing," replied the latter, "for once in a way." "You love hunting?" "Passionately." "What kind?" "All kinds." "But there must be one kind you prefer?" "Yes, boar-hunting. That reminds me most of hunting the Blues." "Thanks." "Boars and Blues,--they both charge alike." "What do you say to fox-hunting?" "Peuh!" exclaimed the marquis, sticking out his underlip like a prince of the House of Austria. "Well, it is a fine sport," said the general. "I leave that to Jean Oullier, who has wonderful tact and patience in watching a covert." "He is good at watching other game than foxes, your Jean Oullier," remarked the general. "Yes, yes; he's clever at all game, no doubt." "Marquis, I wish you would take a fancy to fox-hunting." "Why?"