"Well, captain," said D'Harmental, beginning to be seriously uneasy, "what is the ambition of your philosophy?"
"I have told you, chevalier, a position suitable to my long services—not in France, you understand. In France I have too many enemies, beginning with the lieutenant of police; but in Spain, for instance. Ah! that would suit me well. A fine country—beautiful women—plenty of doubloons! Decidedly, I should like a rank in Spain."
"The thing is possible; it depends on the rank you desire."
"Well, you know, chevalier, when one is wishing, it is as well to wish for something worth the trouble."
"You make me uneasy, monsieur," said D'Harmental, "for I have not the seals of King Philip, to sign brevets in his name. But never mind; speak."
"Well," said Roquefinette, "I see so many greenhorns at the heads of regiments, that I also have thought of being a colonel."
"Colonel? Impossible!"
"Why so?"
"Because, if they make you a colonel, you who only hold a secondary position in the affair, what am I to ask, I, who am at the head?"
"That is the very thing: I wish to change positions for the moment. You remember what I said to you on a certain evening in the Rue du Valois?"