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LABOULAY ES PATRY BOOK
the general’s tent and fell into a chair. Tonto was little
less disheartened.
‘Sire,’ said Bayonet, "permit me to speak to you with
the frankness of a soldier and the freedom of an old
friend. The army is murmuring and hesitating; we must
secure it, or all is lost. The enemy is in sight; we must
attack him. Five minutes sometimes decide the fate of
empires; 1t 1s so with us now. Do not wait till it is
too late."
" Very well,” said the king. "To horse! in an instant I
will be with you.”
Left alone with Tonto and Rachimburg, the king ex¬
claimed, in despair, “My good friends, quit a master who
can do no more for you. I shall not dispute my wretched
life with my enemies. Betrayed in friendship and treacher¬
ously assassinated, I recognize in my misfortune the hand
of an avenging God. It is in punishment for my crime.
I killed the queen in my stupid vengeance; the hour has
come to expiate my fault, and I am ready."
“Sire,” said Tonto, trying to smile, “shake off these sad
thoughts. If the queen were here she would tell you to
defend yourself. Believe me,” he added, twisting his
budding mustache, “I am acquainted with women! Were
they dead, they would still love to avenge themselves.
Besides, you did not kill the queen; and perhaps she is not
so dead as you Imagine.”
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