"Not I. They care nothing for such as we. He treats us as if we were of the scum of the earth, dogs. Oh, if only——"
"Hush," said Marteau. "It is dangerous."
"I know. And he brought with him an Englishman, one of the Duke of Wellington's officers."
"Is he married to the young lady?"
"Not yet, I believe, but betrothed."
"And his name?"
"He has a barbarous name. I can't pronounce it. He had us out inspecting us yesterday—he and that Englishman. Bah! To think of the Fifth-of-the-Line being inspected by such a young red-coated cockerel."
The veteran spat in the dust as the soldier had done and swore roundly. He hated the red-coated English. He had fought them before, and he would like nothing better than to fight them again.
"Patience," said Marteau.
"Do you wish to go to headquarters and report yourself? You were a Major on the Emperor's staff?"