“‘Twas you proposed to cast lots.”
“Good God! so it was.”
“I thought of course it was to be managed so that Raynal should not be the one. Between ourselves, what honorable excuse can we make?”
“None, general.”
“The whole division will be disgraced, and forgive me if I say a portion of the discredit will fall on you.”
“Help me to avert that shame then,” cried Camille, eagerly.
“Ah! that I will: but how?”
“Take your pencil and write—‘I authorize Colonel Dujardin to save the honor of the colonels of the second division.’”
The general hesitated. He had never seen an order so worded. But at last he took out his pencil and wrote the required order, after his own fashion; i.e., in milk and water:—
On account of the singular ability and courage with which Colonel Dujardin has conducted the operations against the Bastion St. Andre, a discretionary power is given him at the moment of assault to carry into effect such measures, as, without interfering with the commander-in-chief’s order, may sustain his own credit, and that of the other colonels of the second division.