But his manner was so gentle and generous that I plunged in boldly. I
told him everything; of my life with my grandfather, of my disgrace at
the Academy, of my desire, in spite of my first failure, to still make
myself a soldier. And then I told him of how I had been disappointed
and disillusioned, and how it had hurt me to find that this fight
seemed so sordid and the motives of all engaged only mercenary and
selfish. But once did he interrupt me, and then by an exclamation
which I mistook for an exclamation of disbelief, and which I
challenged quickly. "But it is true, sir," I said. "I joined the
revolutionists for just that reason--because they were fighting for
their liberty and because they had been wronged and were the under-
dogs in the fight, and because Alvarez is a tyrant. I had no other
motive. Indeed, you must believe me, sir," I protested, "or I cannot
talk to you. It is the truth."

"The truth!" exclaimed Laguerre, fiercely; and as he raised his eyes I
saw that they had suddenly filled with tears. "It is the first time I
have heard the truth in many years. It is what I have preached myself
for half a lifetime; what I have lived for and fought for. Why, here,
now," he cried, "while I have been sitting listening to you, it was as
though the boy I used to be had come back to talk to me, bringing my
old ideals, the old enthusiasm." His manner and his tone suddenly
altered, and he shook his head and placed his hand almost tenderly
upon my own. "But I warn you," he said, "I warn you that you are
wrong. You have begun young, and there is yet time for you to turn
back; but if you hope for money, or place, or public favor, you have
taken the wrong road. You will be a rolling-stone among milestones,
and the way is all down hill. I began to fight when I was even younger
than you. I fought for whichever party seemed to me to have the right
on its side. Sometimes I have fought for rebels and patriots,