an instant I could not believe my own eyes. They were paying me
homage, these, the men who had jeered me! Then I understood it
all. I saw the effect that I had made upon them and their desire
to make reparation. When a man is weak he can steel himself
against danger, but not against emotion.

"Comrades," I cried, "comrades--!" but I could say no more.

Something seemed to take me by the throat and choke me. And then
in an instant Olivier's arms were round me, Pelletan had seized
me by the right hand, Mortier by the left, some were patting me
on the shoulder, some were clapping me on the back, on every side
smiling faces were looking into mine; and so it was that I knew
that I had won my footing in the Hussars of Conflans.



III.
How the Brigadier Slew the Fox[*]


[*] This story, already published in The Green Flag, is included
here so that all of the Brigadier Gerard stories may appear
together.


In all the great hosts of France there was only one officer
toward whom the English of Wellington's Army retained a deep,
steady, and unchangeable hatred.