"Impossible!"
"Well, I have nothing to say against that decisive word; but make me a promise that you will pay me a visit after the peace, if we are both of us still living."
"After the peace!" cried the general, laughing. "Are we at war?"
"We are between peace and war."
"Yes, the happy medium."
"Well, let us say after the happy medium. Promise you will come and see me then?"
"Yes, I give you my word."
"And I shall hold you to it."
"But come, let us talk seriously," said the general, taking a chair and sitting down at the foot of the old émigré's bed.
"I am willing," replied the latter, "for once in a way."