The World's Greatest Books — Volume 04 — Fiction by Various
page 122 of 384 (31%)
page 122 of 384 (31%)
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recalls sacred memories."
"It was given me by Prince Eugène," said one of the officers, Commandant Margarot, a hussar. "It is worth more than 1,000 francs," said M. Goulden, "and I cannot afford to buy it. But I will advance you 200 francs, and the watch shall remain here if you like, and shall be yours whenever you come to reclaim it." The old hussar broke down at this, and though his comrade, Colonel Falconette, tried to restrain him, he poured forth thanks and bitter words against the government. From that time it always seemed to me that things would end badly, and that the nobles had gone too far. The old commandant had said that the government behaved like Cossacks to the army, and this was horrible. M. Goulden read the "Gazette" aloud to us every day, and both Catherine and I were pleased to find there were men in Paris maintaining the very things we thought ourselves. All this time the clergy were going on with their processions, and sermons were being preached about the rebellion of 1790, the restitution of property to the landowners, and the re-establishment of convents, and the need for missionaries for the conversion of France. From such ideas what good could come? It is no wonder that when a report came early in March that Napoleon had landed at Cannes and was marching on Paris we were all very agitated at |
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