“That may be true. But one finds that such fine young fellows as your son generally do all that is required of them.”
“Monseigneur, I believe you will find nowhere so much zeal and intelligence, so much real bravery, as in Raoul; but if he failed to arrange your embarkation, you would only meet the fate that you deserve.”
“Humph! you are scolding me, then.”
“Monseigneur, to provision a fleet, to assemble a flotilla, to enroll your maritime force, would take an admiral a year. Raoul is a cavalry officer, and you allow him a fortnight!”
“I tell you he will do it.”
“He may; but I will go and help him.”
“To be sure you will; I reckoned upon you, and still further believe that when we are once at Toulon you will not let him depart alone.”
“Oh!” said Athos, shaking his head.
“Patience! patience!”
“Monseigneur, permit us to take our leave.”